This is probably one of the weirdest things I've ever noticed...

Okay maybe not, but hear me out! Oh and just as a forewarning, I am dissing neither Gaga or Christina. Cause I LOOOOVE Christina's voice and Gaga's sense of style (although I admit it's a little over the top at times, but hey NEVER a dull moment with this gal!)

Is it just me or does Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga look very much alike? I don't know maybe it's just me. The photo on the left might not be the best photos to compare the with, they look alike right? If not, bear with the insane lady writing this dumb entry.

Anyways, I think it was around the time Christina Aguilera's Dirrrty Music Video came out (2004?) when people talked about her fashion sense (or lack of it?) choices in an article. I think it was either Time or People, but I think I am most probably wrong! Anyways, the fashion Nazis said that Christina had no fashion sense, dressed like a cheap drag queen and that she dressed like she didn't know what she was doing.
The sad thing is, when I look back (boy I wish I knew how to find the clothes Christina wore during this time I am talking about)... and let's dress Lady Gaga in the same damn outfit now. People would think she's brilliant instead of insane. Granted, Gaga's outfits are always like how Madonna's outfits were (are?) but on steroids... and Christina Aguilera focuses more on singing. I don't know how else to say it: I think Christina either didn't push the envelopes hard enough or she was just born in the wrong yea. Had she been maybe 5 years younger or been famous later in her years, she could've been today's Gaga? Here is an example:

Aguilera in 2002

Gaga in "Telephone" Music video 2010

I mean, the idea is there... so similar... and Gaga's is a little (LOT) more revealing than Christina's... maybe I'm older now, but I thought Christina's outfit was tacky back in '02 and Gaga's is well... normal for Lady Gaga...

Anyways, I am planning to make a Lady Gaga painting (just a tribute to present pop culture, I can't always be old-fashioned) and was looking for inspirations online. Gaga + Lempicka's Telephone is popping in my head right now. I wish I wasn't so sick and my leg wasn't in pain, I would've sketched something...
At least there's Glee tonight. I know it's a rerun but I just LOOOOOVE that show, no matter how corny or cheesy it's gonna get

So I just called in sick today...

I woke up to a cramp on my right leg. It's awesome... sarcastic, by the way. It was painful and I couldn't move for a good ten minutes. This hasn't happened in a while, and always around the wintertime. This was the first in a year's span... and hopefully the last.

I was worried I wasn't going to be able to drive. It doesn't hurt when it's relaxed but when I push my leg out, it hurt like a motherf---er. I thought I could just suck it up and get to work... no such lick.

So I got dressed for work and minutes before I was about to leave, I started to feel nauseous and threw up. I don't really know the reason behind why (you deserve to be smacked in the face if you thought "are you pregnant?") but I think it's got something to do with the sore throat I've had for a week or so now. I was so scared to call work though. Gagging while talking to your boss = EMBARRASSING! So instead I texted her about it. She called me back and before we can even finish up, I was already running to the bathroom. I don't think I even hang up on her... gah!

I called the doctor and decided to make an appointment. It's on Thursday. Right dead smack in the middle of my shift. Either I get the appointment or I'd have to wait til the New Years... SHOOT ME.

So here I am venting out before I am going to take a nap... maybe later today it's gonna be better...

Surprises come in the strangest sizes...

So we went to my hunnybunny's boss's Christmas Party last night and had a lot of fun. There were a lot of the usual partygoers from the past few years and also had a few more I didn't expect. Joel Ray (the artist, not the singer LOL) was there and so was Taft McWhorter. I got to show both of them my artwork (via iPod) and they both liked a lot of my paintings. Again, I was told to paint more and on bigger canvas (dejavu, anyone?) and there's the voice in my head screaming, "ack, big canvasses are soooo expensive!"

So we got home tired but happy. They had given us a bag of goodies. I saw the two Christmas cards and being the weirdo that I am, I opened them up and placed them on the mantel. I was placing the envelopes underneath the cards when I noticed that there's a giftcard in one of them. It was one addressed to me. I then jumped for joy when I saw it's a $50 giftcard to Michael's. OH MY GOD, the Rojas' are a godsend.

Happy Birfday to Me!!!

I just wanted to report that yesterday was awesome because I got to hang out with the hunnybunny at the Gallery at River Oaks' holiday party. I still haven't gotten over the fact that one of them (Sobanski) is legally blind and he isn't even allowed to drive. His glasses are REALLY thick and apparently, he can't drive legally... And his paintings are AWESOME! They are bright and nicely detailed. I am still in disbelief he could do what he does. But then again didn't Degas and Monet go blind too, and they still painted? Very talented man. He's a little odd though (at least odd-er than most artists I know). He did give me some good advice: don't stop painting! I am a LOT concerned about his credibility though. He did tell me to ALWAYS drink white wine before noon and red after... O_o WTH?!?!?!

After the gallery we went to Cat Daddy's, a bar where my coworkers are regulars. Now, I am couch potato so I don't ever go with them (not to mention that the place is in a freaky neighborhood and I have the sense of direction of a goldfish!!!) but I went then because the bar was closing down. I don't know, I guess I wanted to see it before it was turned into something depressingly different. I grew the cajones to sing a karaoke song solo. And yes, I picked "My Immortal" by Evanescence. And this I did sober. Where did I get the courage to do this? I DO NOT KNOW. I think it's the 5 glasses of Coke (cafeeeeeine!)...

Today, was a different story though.
Yep, today is my birthday. And what did I do the second my boyfriend left the house? I made coffee and played World of Warcraft. Now, I haven't played in almost 3 months (that's a record for me!) but there is something about that game that calms me (and trust me, I NEEDED TO STAY CALM). You'll see what I mean...

The night before I was stressing about food because my boyfriend didn't even have plans on what to feed the guests. He said he was just going to get some pizza and pre-made food but I still worried about not having enough for everyone to eat. I spent hours baking cookies/brownies and cooking some meatballs in the oven, playing at the same time. Surprisingly I didn't burn anything, thank god.

Now I had expected at tops 14 people in our apartment: a couple with 3 kids and another couple with 5 kids, plus me and my hunnybunny. With that number, I worried that there won't be a spot for anybody. So imagine my panic when instead, there was like 22! It's a pretty cozy unit (BTW cozy is a euphemism) but there were so many little kids crying and fighting and arguing that I was sorta annoyed. The adults knew that the place was puny. Why the hell did they bring 5 toddlers that's not even their own to a party that has limited space?!?

Everyone finally arrived at around 7:30 pm. It was chaotic to say the least. It's like I am running a fucking daycare. The kids and the parents were screaming like motherfucking lunatics... and they ask why the hell I don't have any children.

I honestly had more fun at the bar, even with the smoke and the loud music and the scary-looking people in there. And if I get to do my birthday all over again... I'd have just asked my hunnybunny to take me to Todai or Benihana or some fancy sushi place instead of having a party at our place. At least I wouldn't have had panic attacks at the sight of my disarrayed house and the chocolate-stained carpet.

I got a lot of fun presents such as Winsor and Reeves Acrylics, Acrylic Medium Set, Taklon paintbrushes, an Artbin to keep them from getting lost and an aluminum easel.

Finally, A Day Off... YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!

So I slept in til 11 today, only woken up by a phone call from my mom... Who didn't even answer the phone when I picked up. That's my momma!

I grabbed a tall cup of Columbian and dragged my butt in front of the computer. Still unusable even after the dumb virus scans so I am restoring it for now. If that doesn't work I am going to have to reformat to factory conditions and I can safely say I will be one unfriendly person today. At least most of my music, photos and movies are on hard drives. I didn't have to do many transfers. I'm still ticked off though, as anybody should be in my position.

So My hunnybunny is throwing me a birthday party tomorrow and I am glad I dot have to cook anything... But knowing me I'll be baking something anyway just cause I'm nuts, but if he says I dont have to cook, I ain't cooking!

Working hard for the money...

I worked 14 hours straight two days this week with two of my jobs (and yes I still work ~30 hours of my regular job) so I am pooped. Thank God I requested tomorrow and the weekend off because I am going to 3 Christmas parties (he art gallery's, a restaurants' and a friends') AND I am throwing mine's on Saturday. Gaaaah!!!!

So I am practically passing out while I am writing his via my iPod touch. My computer has been screwy these past few days (stupid virus!) and I've been trying to run nonstop virus scans for days now... I think I am going to reformat the hard drive tomorrow since I am getting REALLY desperate to get back on a desktop. Fat thumbs + small keyboard = not so happy me.

Nothing like some noodle soup and a good nap to make me feel better!

I have been feeling like crap for days now, waking up almost every day with a migraine headache. On top of the episodes, today I was congested and my throat hurt. When the lunch rush at work never occured, my boss asked me, "well you're really quiet today. Something wrong? You're not living up to being 'Chirping Bird' today."
I told her I only had 4 hours of sleep, not to mention a sore throat and a headache. She sent me home early since the restaurant was empty anyway. I went Michael's to get the Essentials Three Tray Box my mom is getting me for my birthday and then picked up some broth from Kroger before heading home.


I tossed some stewing beef, mini-portabellos and the whole big tetra-pack of broth in a pot and let it simmer. Honestly, I don't condone leaving the stove unattended but in my defense it was very low heat. Anyways, four-hour nap later and I felt so much better!!!  I snacked on some crackers and green tea while finishing the rest of "Alms". When my hunny got home I took a break from painting and finished the noodle soup. Added the egg noodles, some green onions and baby bokchoys. SOO good!!!

And the good ending to such a crap-tacular day? 
[Insert Alms]

I've been taking surveys at e-rewards for more than two years now. I have taken online surveys since high school but this is the only site that actually had any rewards. I think it's been at least 4 times when I've received $25 Gamestop gift cards and recently I've stopped playing videogames. I still had some credit so I decided to use it to purchase Borders Bucks. 15 credits for $15 B-bucks = not bad at all (since 50 credits = $25 GS game card -_-).

Anyways, I picked up the hardcover book Anatomy Drawing School: Human, Animal, Comparative Anatomy for $10 and a small unlined journal for $5. Pretty much, all I paid for both is the tax ^_^

The guy who drew the pictures for this book is very talented. I wish I had that much patience to draw. I'm more of a painter I guess although I am pretty decent with pencil or a charcoal stick. Although I don't particularly have that much of an interest in anatomy, I think this is a good reference book if I ever decide to pursue art seriously. And can't complain, I did get it for free!

I am a genius vs I am ingenious!!! There's a difference? O_o

These Painter's Pal - Paint Cups (Pack of 20) is $3.49 at Jerry's Artarama. They look like the little condiment serving cups you find in restaurants. I thought that was too expensive for items you technically get free elsewhere, not to mention you throw them away after you use them.  But I didn't want to go bothering waiters for these things, let alone get banned from any restaurant for being such a cheapo hahaha!


Anyways, I asked my boss where she thought I can find these things (since she's the one who's in charge of inventory and grocey shopping!). She sent me to Ace Mart. I found a 250-count bag for $3.45 and the lids for $1.49. Gah, I feel so smart! Cheap... eh, euphemisms...

OMFG I am so tired!!!

I am sooooo tired, not to mention I am suffering from food-coma (Niko Niko's, oh you evil devils. Your food is SOOOOOO goooood!). But I just couldn't resist writing about tonight.

First off, it scares me that my mother-in-law (per se) is stalking me on Facebook. I say the F-word and she's all over it like stink on cheese. "I'm getting the soap because you need to wash your mouth!" or some cheesy remark like that. Seriously, she needs a better hobby... Hmm...


Anyways, I went to River Oaks today, happy that I got to talk to the featured artist, Joanna Purvis. She's very nice, down-to-earth, and very sweet. And she's very approachable. Not that many artists would just talk to you like that... I mean, heck some would only talk to you if you looked like someone who's interested in buying. Nah, she's one of those that are interested in how you feel about her artwork and she wants to talk about her experiences. 
The same goes for Mr. Sobanski. He's seemed like a quiet man. But no, he opened up when we started talking about his art. Hahaha. Old adage: Never judge a book by its cover. He mentioned that being an artist is not a hobby, it's a job. That the first thing any real artists do in the morning is think about art. I wish that's the case for me. The first thing that comes to mind in the morning is "I hope I am not late for work" or wondering if I was going to have enough coffee/creamer to last me the day. I rarely think of painting first thing when I wake up. He also mentioned that it's never too early to drink wine; white in the morning, red in the evening. So I guess to a point he's not really that much of a credible source. I am really scared to think of me being like him one day. SCARY.


I showed the gallery owner my works and I guess she liked some of them. Downside? They're all on paper! She said that it's harder to sell paintings on paper (I already assumed as much since the galleries I've been in always hosted paintings on canvas). She told me the thicker the better; the thinner ones need to be matted, glassed and framed while the thicker (2-inch frames AKA gallery-wrap canvas) can stand as is. DAMN, I wish I knew some of these tricks before today.

All in all, it was a pretty good experience. I am still a little intimidated by the awesomeness of the works featured in this gallery (not to mention the skill and patience involved) and I hope some day that someone else would be standing in my shoes and says, "hey, I wanna be just a good a painter as her!"

Still dreaming...

To Gallery at West Oaks we go!!!

*SIGH* Two of the shocks to my car are shut. *SIGH* Every Christmas, something comes up. Last year it was the tires, the year before I think was the alignment. Tis the season... for someone in the auto business to squeeze money from us. I think it's gonna cost about $400... shoot me.


On slightly a happier note.. Tuesday Morning said I am starting my new job next week, if they get the hours they requested from the los quesos grandes (AKA the big bosses. HAHA!). I'm excited and a little scared at the same time. I haven't been in a retail setting for more than two years now (restaurant is different!) but I am sure it's like riding a bicycle. I'm a little concerned I am going to be piss-tired most of the time when I get home. Working retail + holiday = hell on earth, after all.

And the icing on the cake... There's a solo exhibition today by Joanna Purvis and I can't wait to go! I was impressed by her Butterfly painting (which was auctioned with the proceeds going to the Leukemia Society). I hope our friends go as well (it's a block away from their house!) because I am bringing in some of my art as well. I want to show them and the gallery, and I am crossing my fingers that someone will like what I made. I am gathering them all in a portfolio after I write this. Wish me luck!!!

New Medium

Ok so if you're thinking Medium as in the TV show with Patricia Arquette, you just lost cool points!!!

Anyways, I started on a painting inspired by a photograph of my friend. I had planned it to just be a plain acrylic painting (which I was going to give to my nephew for his new room) but I decided against it. I used the Heavy Gloss Gel Medium for the first time. Wow, this is like AWESOME! It left stiff peaks on my painting and you can actually see some of the brushstrokes. I wish it left a glossier sheen to it, but that's my fault I guess. Maybe I should've used a better quality acrylics. I'll post the painting when it's done.

Anyone else excited about this???

Staggering Picasso Trove Turns Up in France

Artist's point of view here, sorry, but I am VERY excited about this. It's almost as awesome as finding an endangered species alive after decades that its' been missing.

Excitement aside, I am pissed. First at Le Guennec for hiding it for so long. But then again, he's old and has prioritized dealing with his health and family first. But why wait this long? And why not have them signed?
I told my my sis in law that I am planning to make a painting for her boys' rooms. And the first thing she says? "i will make sure you sign it". S---, even children the age of 10 know the value of a signed baseball, FFS.

"When Picasso made just a little drawing on a metro ticket, he would keep it," said Jean-Jacques Neuer, a lawyer for Picasso's estate. "To think he could have given 271 works of art to somebody who isn't even known among his friends is of course absurd."

Does he even know Picasso himself? I am going to take a wild guess here and say, no. He probably can't even spell Picasso. J-J Neuer should just shove a scone up his mouth and shut the h--- up.


His father was known for his generosity. Well... if that's the case, how can they say Picasso didn't give it to Le Guennec? Not all artists are selfish! Maybe it was a gift, as mentioned by the electrician. Tokens of appreciation, you know?

Sheesh, people these days. Brains run by goo instead of brain cells, hearts driven by greed. Disgusts me!

I want to see one of these Picasso's some day. So I can say, "hey! Picasso ain't *dead* he's in the room!" Okay that's a little freaky but that's how my brain works.

Christmas Shopping

I think I had placed at least a week's worth of entries on *Save Now* and I only updated and published them now.

Like I told my mom yesterday, I went art-supply shopping. I picked up a good amount of tips today so I went to Texas Art Supply and got a Liquitex Basics Value 12-set for under $15. Then I went to the Michaels' nearby. I got a Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylics 6-tube set for 1/2 price, a tackle box, a set of paintbrushes and 3 tubes of craftsmart paint (for a christmas project)... all of that under $27 after taxes plus a $5-off coupon. I might come back later this week to pick up some more brushes, all depending how slow it is at work and what my schedule is next week.

I am going to be so happy when this season is over. I am starting my new job next week and although I detest working retail, I just gotta grin and bear it. I just hope after all this crap, I get to paint something that will get me there... get me noticed at least. So that I'd have doors of oppurtunities open so I won't have to deal with people who look down on me anymore.

Belated Happy, Happy Turkey Day!

So yeah, two houses for Thanksgiving = me being overly stuffed. First it was at my hunny's parents' home, then to his brother's. I think that's why I was suffering from food coma when I woke up at such an ungodly hour (6 am?!?!?!) this morning. I was a little short on cash so I picked up some of the books I was planning to sell anyway and went to Half-Price Books. I was hoping they had Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Mysteries novels because I wanted to check out the difference between the book and the movie (I am such a critic! HAHA) but they didn't so bleh. I am going to have to look into another library for them.

I'll be honest and say I did look at ads the day before for deals. I was looking mainly at the Michael's ad and nothing but one item attracted my attention. I have been eyeing a tabletop sketchbox easel like this one for a while now:

Anyways, these suckers cost about $79.99 normally but Michaels' have them for $29.99. They also had a 25% off the whole purchase including sale items. I had some store credit so it cost me only about $17. I told my boyfriend that's his Christmas present to me. I had a few boxes of oil and acrylic paints that I haven't opened yet so I popped them in there beside a pack of new paintbrushes I just got. Since I told myself that I am not painting anything until after the holidays are over (nor am do I want him to spend a lot on me), I thought I might as well wrap them with the sketchbox so it wouldn't look too plain and empty when I opened it.

When I got home, my mom calls me and tells me she's at the mall. But she was too lazy to get me a present (oh thanks mom!) and we told each other of our Thanksgiving dinners. I just got home from Michaels and was getting my Christmas present cheap because of Black Friday, she told me she's giving me $100 for my birthday. I told her that was nice of her and that I'll buy my present either tomorrow or Sunday. Then I called her a Hypocrite for laughing at me since she was shopping for Christmas herself (and my birthday is before Christmas anyway). Haha, so much tough love in this family! Since I'm going all practical this year, I made a promise not to spend more than $40. I need the art supplies, but real stuff comes first.

I Got the JOOOOOOOB!

So, I got the job at Tuesday Morning!!! They said they were gonna call me after they get the *clear* on my background check. But man, that means there's less time for me to be painting. Oh well. I need the money.
You know, I wonder how some of these painters got by... they must have had some awesome trust fund or something... Or maybe they did starve. I hope not. GAH.

Christmas is going to be a little sad this year. These past three years, we weren't that affected by the economy. We both have pretty steady jobs. I had problems with my hours, but that's about it. And then suddenly BAM!!! My boyfriend gets more than $10K a year paycut. Sucks major balls. I don't understand how NPR could be printing off articles like this saying that economy is at its highest in years. What total BS.

I look at my bro-in-law's family and even they are suffering. He earns good money at a good company and granted my sis-in-law can't find a job. Even they aren't buying presents, except for the kids... and their presents are really practical, like sports equipment. They were doing well last year.

My boyfriend and I are practical people and 99% of the time, the presents we ask for are either something expensive we really want but won't buy it unless it's for a birthday/xmas or something expensive but practical. Last year, I asked and got for a GPS system for my birthday and a car stereo for Christmas. I also bought him a  car stereo last year. Both our presents for each other are at least $125.

I really thought my hunny and I were doing really well this year... the money we usually set aside for the car payment was going to used as an added payment to the mortgage. The car's paid off now, thank God, but with the paycut, it's like we haven't paid off the car.

My boyfriend usually asks around October what I want for my birthday/Christmas. I told him I wanted a good set of kitchen knives and a French easel. They cost about $100-$150 each, but I thought, with his paycut, that's just asking for too much. With Christmas and my birthday being only a week apart, I told myself I am not asking for anything over $50 and I am not having a party, just a dinner with me and my hunnybunny.

I got him a new keyboard/mouse set since his is already going out. He's been asking me what I want but really, I don't want to ask for something just so there'd be something to ask for. I'd rather not ask for a $50 present if I am not even gonna use it.

Bleh, now I remember why I hate the holidays. Jobs are plentiful but they work you to the bone. Sales galore and yet you have no money to spend. I have never been surprised many people kill themselves out of depression.

Collaborative Work

So last night, I added the guy from Kohls (John) to my flist via YIM. I showed him the new links to my paintings at Carbonmade. He said he liked most of my paintings. We then talked about collaborating a painting. His idea was a Romeo and Juliet, Sun and Moon feel to the painting. I asked what theme he had in mind and he mentioned African and Native American art. He also tells me about Capoeira and that he wanted that kind of a feel to it too. Unfortunately, I haven't a clue on any of that kind of art (I've only been after the Modernist artworks so far) or Capoiera even (except that I had a feeling it's either dance or martial arts - I was right). So I promised him I was going to get some books from the library and research the subjects.

Meeting People in the Strangest of Places

Well, Kohl's isn't really THAT strange of a place. I love this store!!! You get the wanna-be snobs in there, but the deals there are just AWESOME. I got me a $10 gift (I don't know how but I ain't complaining) and I didn't really have cash on me. I wanted to check out if they had pretty decent deals on knives (can't help it, I'm a cook at heart!). I wanted a Santoku knife and they had some, but I wasn't impressed. The ones that are in a mini-set of three didn't interest me, and the bigger ones that had the one that I wanted came in a 14-piece set... that costs about $200. YIIIIIIKES!!! Money's tight, and I ain't crazy!

Instead I picked up 2 sets of tights instead for $5.99 each. Winter's a-coming and although I don't always wear skirts or dresses but since we're heading to more art galleries soon, I thought I might as well have something to wear under my minis. Anyways, so I was paying and the cashier and I got to chatting. Eventually (I don't remember how) and he mentioned he is an artist. I gave him my business card and said so was I and that we should share ideas and stuff.

Who would've thunk, right? I mean, I could've easily gone to a shorter line at the store, but I ended up at his register. And I wouldn't have this oddly titled entry right now.

Seahorse, seahorse... can you finish yourself already?

So, I told Erin on Wednesday that was I going to paint a pop art painting of her two kids. I was going to start yesterday but unfortunately I didn't have the canvases I needed. I wanted a uniform size/thickness and I didn't want it to be too big. I actually thought of buying 12"x12"s on Wednesday but I didn't have enough money to be spending $12 for each canvas. I couldn't even afford just one! So I decided to look for pictures I could use from her facebook. I did find two that I liked but I don't really wanna paint a picture of her boy wearing a hat. I want just a painting of their faces. Oh well, this gotta be postponed til I bother her enough to get me some slightly better photos.

It's been like weeks since I looked at the seahorse painting I started a while back. I decided to go back to it. After I revamped the background and used pearl and glittery paint, now it's bright and sparklier. I ish happy. I'm waiting for it to dry right so here I am posting this. And I'm munching on the spicy tuna roll i just made so yeah... OMNOMNOM. I will also be responding to a correspondence from this girl I talked to via craigslist. She seems nice. Been talking to her about art and stuff, I hope she gets her art classes set so I might go to that.

The Gallery at River Oaks

Well this has been one fun art-filled two weeks for me so far and I am exhausted to say the least. Just this past weekend, I was working and afterwards I'm running around town doing errands... by the time I get home I don't even have time at all to even draw, I'm so exhausted. Maybe it's the cold weather getting to me, my joints ache. I feel like an old lady! At least after today's shift, I have Thursday and Friday off. WOOT!!!

Anyways, enough talking about not so fun stuff...
Man, I need to go to more art galleries and exhibitions. Joel Ray's solo exhibition last Thursday was inspiring to say the least. Then last night I went to The Gallery at River Oaks' Leukemia Society Benefit. It was pretty crowded and slightly intimidating (the art pieces here are AWESOME as you can spot from their site, not to mention I didn't know a soul in there!) but most of the crowd seemed friendly enough. One guy said that he was a basketball player but I'm sports illiterate so I wouldn't know who he is even if I had overheard his name Hahaha!

There's a LOT of good paintings there. Varied in themes and points of view. I think I like the "Secret Garden" the most. Not only was it named after one of my most favorite kid movies/novels, it has such a calming feel to it... eh, just had to see it to experience I guess.

I met one of the gallery managers there. Jenna talked to us and took a glance at my work. She said I have pretty interesting stuff so I feel good about myself right now. *squeal*
The disadvantage I have though is having such small paintings (most of them no bigger than 9"x12"), but she said I should just reproduce them in bigger and in better quality (AKA gallery) canvasses. I am going to have to bring some of my work to them so they can fully assess what I can do. God help me, I'm scared about that a little bit.

I see on their site they have a lot of events and I will probably drop by again on December 2nd for Joanna Purvis's Exhibition. (Note to self: club boyfriend on the head and have him go with you!) Also, thanks to Yelp!, I found Houston via Colori 2010 which I might visit on Saturday. 

Granted it's my niece's birthday party later that night but I'm sure I can hop out of work early if I beg well enough. Yeah good luck with that kiddo.

Going to Another Gallery!!! Yaay!!!

It's barely 9:30 and already I am ready to smack my head straight into a pillow (my cat would suffice as well though). I had been watching "Neverending Story", a childhood favorite and there's a good 15 minutes left before the credits roll. Instead of watching the rest of the movie, here I am writing this. Why, do you say, don't I just hop under the covers and go to sleep? Because I just had to report this:

My boyfriend got home and walked in talking about how he had talked to the gallery manager across from where he works at at the mall (really, it's no wonder sometimes how he's never at the office whenever I call) and she told him that their other gallery was having a Leukemia Benefit tomorrow and that we should go meet Barbara S. and talk about my art. Thank God most of my artworks are already in my iPod that I won't have to scrounge for pictures and load them tonight. I am NOT kidding at all, I've already passed out four times while writing this.

Thanks to years of playing World of Warcraft, my keyboard might as well be the back of my hand. Yay to writing with my eyes closed!!!

*pass out*

EDIT:
11/17 Coming back here the next day, I am really surprised there aren't that many spelling errors!

Inspirations!!!

The gallery showing last night was AWESOME! It was Joel Ray's first solo. He had about 20 paintings there. I have a few paintings that's the same color scheme as his (so I think have some potential? HAHAHAAA!) but I guess my creativity needs a lot more work.

We got there late so we didn't get to see Joel's speech (awww). But at least I met a good amount of people there. Two had their own suit stores (unfortunately, they're men's suits, *sigh*) and one guy owned a flower shop. I told him his flower arrangements were beautiful and that one of the orchids in there reminded me of the lei that my cousins gave me on my first visit to Hawaii. Then we talked about Hawaii and I showed him some of my pictures ^_^ I met some art lovers and a photographer. For some strange reason though, it seemed like some of the people my age just cared about the free drinks from the bar. Didn't seem all that interested with his artwork. I shouldn't really be b****ing about it, but that just makes me feel sad!

Yay gallery showing!!!

So my bf told me last night that we were going to a gallery showing after work. It's the works of one of his customers at the store. But since we live far from downtown, not to mention it'd be stupid to take two cars when I need to be in that part of town anyway, I dropped him off and went nuts!

I first went to Texas Art Supplies. I was shocked when I walked in. It looked like one of those old fashioned mom-and-pop stores! And the prices were awesome! Well at least comparable even with the coupons at Michaels or Joanns. Not to mention the selection was bountiful. I got me some Artgrain paper for ~$5 (which is >$10 in Michaels!) and 2x50c Sharpie extra-fine markers.

Then I headed to Michaels. I spent a good 2 hours in there (better than waiting at the mall, since I am only got $20 in my name). I got me some 25cent Halloween cotton candy (hey it's candy!), 6 metallic and pearl finish acrylic paints for 89 cents each, a 12x18 Watercolor pad for 10.80 (it was 60% off 18), and watercolor tin set... and on top of that, 20% discount my entire purchase. Score baby, score!!! I think total, I spent $14 and some change. Not bad!

I left Michaels happy but then I realized I still had almost 2 hours to spend at the mall. *CRINGE* If I was a girly girl I'd be in orgasm heaven... but I'm not. So I took my nerdy butt to Borders and read some books. I saw a book on anatomy and the human form that I am going to get this Sunday for sure (if I get enough tips). After browsing the whole store twice, I got tired (and hungry) so I decided to get me some Cocoa Trio. It was awesome, but jeebus almost $3 for a small cup of hot cocoa? Blasphemy!!! Eh, I think I did pretty well. Wouldn't hurt to indulge myself once in a while. I am proud of my $20 art supply purchase.

I just spotted my bf from across the room, we're now heading to the gallery to see Mr. Joel Ray's artwork. Inspirations INCOMING!!!

I've got a black thumb... literally.

Well, yeah I can't even grow mung bean sprouts. But besides that fact my thumb is still sore from when I dropped 50 lb bag of ice on it earlier this week. FUN! I have been wanting to take notes down on the books I borrowed from the library (I have 20 and people thought I was out of my mind!) but I can't even grip pencils well enough without my handwriting looking more atrocious than it already is.

So tonight, while watching movies on my computer, I am looking at freebie sites just in case a few of them gave away pencils or art supplies. And I'm looking at catalogs as well. The joys of having a broken thumb... /sigh.

At least I have Twilight: Eclipse to read later. Ah, why did I have to be in a teenybopper mood? /sigh

What's the big deal again?

So I had a conversation with my coworkers 2 years ago about Manny Pacquiao. They were talking about Manny this, Manny that and I walked into the room and said "Who?" and they immediately attacked me for not knowing who he is.

First of all, hello! I just walked in. Second, just because I'm a Filipino like him doesn't mean s***. I mean, I don't expect half the Americans to know who Samuel Adams is (and NO, I did not mean the beer company!). I mean, if I had a dollar for every time I've been criticized for not having "Filipino Pride", I think I might be able to buy the whole damn archipelago

What I don't understand is, why am I the bad person when these previous coworkers of mine not only picked up the bad traits of Americans (being racist, too focused on making money and the American Dream instead of true happiness) and kept the bad traits of Filipinos (arrogance, modern-day slavery and acting like they've never had humble beginnings.)? I speak the damn language (and understand 2 other dialects), not to mention I value most of the customs and beliefs. I still hold most of the good Filipino values. And I particularly look back at this one:
There was this guy named Jose Rizal who said "Ang di lumilingon sa pinanggalingan, di makararating sa paroroonan". Roughly translated, he said that whoever doesn't look back to where he/she came from will never make it anywhere. Honestly, I've never been back to the Philippines so I am not even gonna hide that. When people ask what nationality I am, I answer "I am an American". But when people ask me where I'm from (usually because of the muddled accent), I tell them I was raised in NYC but was born in the Philippines.

I guess that's the curse of most of the children who migrate to the United States. It's hard enough trying to be an individual... but to be torn between two worlds. Trying to prove twice that we're worth being where we came from and also where we live

Anyways, before I completely stray from the subject (I already have, haven't I?)... why the hell should I pay for pay-per-view to watch Manny beat the crap out of some other guy. I'm from New York, I frigging saw people getting their a**es beat every day! Not to mention I have bills to pay and I would rather spend $100 on groceries. And why in the world should I care if he wins? Do I get money when Manny wins/loses? Only if there were bets called. If I see him in the street and in my native language I asked him for $50, would he help me? I highly even doubt he cares if I exist or not.

Forgive me for using the lines from my most favorite movie of all time for this reasoning:
Young Calogero: Bill Mazeroski, I hate him. He made Mickey Mantle cry. The papers said the Mick cried.
Sonny: Mickey Mantle? That's what you're upset about? Mantle makes $100,000 a year. How much does your father make? If your dad ever can't pay the rent and needs money, go ask Mickey Mantle. See what happens. Mickey Mantle don't care about you. Why care about him?

Nuff said.

As promised, I uploaded some pictures!!!

Well, I had too much to do last night, not to mention my internet modem needed an exorcism or something (SIGH)... I also had to go to Michaels because I needed some gesso paint. I also picked up a small kid sized canvas. It's about 1x1.5, which is odd-sized really but that's what I need for this picture I wanted to repaint.
Anyways, I just uploaded some pictures and I hope I posted them on the right days. O_o

I made dinner early last night because I wanted to paint before my boyfriend got home. I have had this idea for the picture in my head during my drive home from Michaels. It came out pretty okay I think, except it was a little brighter than what I had envisioned.
I like how it is, but I might redo this picture anyway. The white seems a little off from the rest of the picture.

I can't wait until Thursday! I get to use this extra 20% coupon everything (including sale items!) from Michaels. I have been eyeing this Watercolor paper pad that's normally $19 that I can get for about $8! /freakout

The things you learn everyday...

So half my entries are stuck in "Save Now". Hahaha, lazy days are awesome! Can you blame me though? I've been working a lot and after work I usually run around town looking for cheap groceries, not to mention deals for art supplies. I promise after hopping to Michaels later I am going to publish my entries, not to mention upload some pictures of some of my work.

Anyways last night after I ate (my boyfriend was napping LOL), we were both in the computer room and he starts off "Can you hear me out real quick?" It came out of nowhere so I was surprised, not to mention worried. That phrase RARELY comes out well. Anyway he continues, "I know you hated working for (insert name of doctor's office) but you know there's this clerical job at (insert name of University). It pays waaaay more than (present job) not to mention they have benefits. AND, you get to go to school for free!!!"

Saying that my eyes were as round as saucers would be an understatement. Free school? F*** YEAH!
I took my time filling out and thoroughly looking at that application. Just my luck I've been doing clerical work for more than 4 years. I am praying I get this job. Wish me luck!

After I was done, I went on another university's website to check if they have any openings as well. No luck. But what I saw there will probably help me a LOT while I'm not back in school.

I saw an icon for iTunes U. I immediately opened my iTunes program and downloaded a few videos and audio that had something to do with art and other stuff I like (literature for example ^_^). By the end of last night, I had over 300 lectures to download (some are like 5 minutes long anyway) and I listened to one while I fell asleep. The lecturer had a pretty dull voice, but at least his subject was cool. At least I didn't have to pay him a cent to bore me to sleep!!!

I woke up this morning with a killer migraine headache. Since I was off today, I was planning to go to work with my boyfriend, hang around Borders then have lunch when he gets out. But I decided to stay home. I made about 4 pieces today, well 8 if you count the monotypes ^_^

Tough Love (behind a frame)

Tough Love (monotype)

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Sour Patch Peaches

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Inspirations, Left and Right

I hope one day, I get to look back into this blog and say, "hey! I've improved!" Wishful thinking for now and I imagine a LOT of these guys I'm about to mention started out like I did.

Most of these are blogs that I have been flipping through for inspiration:

Jane Burton Sculptures = figurative sculptures
Surreal Paintings of Shane Gehler
It's a Fine Line = I don't know why she hasn't updated for a year. I still like what she had on her blog though.


Anyways, it's odd when I look at people's portfolios. I mean, I can imagine that they're posting their best works and all but do they always have a specific theme? I mean I know people have preference on what medium they use (for example I don't like oil but love acrylic and prefer to paint on canvas over panels, unless it's a mixed media) but do most artists do that? I guess I'm still a starving artist (never really sold anything hahaha!) and I haven't really made that much art to have my own 'collection' or theme or gallery. Someday... someday... *taps foot*

I must be all kinds of weird...

Most my friends, my coworkers (the ones that I actually don't want to strangle) can attest to my strangeness. Granted my friends are weird in their own little ways too, but hey, takes one to know one, right?
So yesterday, I went to Nippan Daido again and got me Shirakiku Honey Panko Breadcrumbs (stock picture on the right). They're not as fine like that ones we pick up in the supermarket, but they sure make good meatloaf! (I follow this recipe.) Not to mention they're great for onion rings/haystacks (which my boyfriend gobbled up last night alongside some oven-baked fries and Mochiko Chicken).

The first time I went into ND, since I didn't speak any Japanese (let alone know how to read!) I felt a little lost and was scared to ask. It's not that bad this time around, and since I already know their layout my shopping time was cut in half. Unfortunately for me, I only had about 5 bucks and some change. I went to the chip aisle which was puny and none of the candy "talked" to me. As I went down the aisle that led to the register, I spotted something I didn't dare bring into my house before.:

 ZOMFG... dried anchovies! I used to eat these by the bowl when I was a little kid. I even ate this with rice for dinner. It cost about $3 for a 2 1/2 ounce bag but it was well worth it. I had some last night and I ate the rest of the bag tonight.
Don't worry folks, I fried oven-baked them (after spraying them with a little Pam) and didn't eat them right out of the bag. Seriously, I am not THAT clueless about Asian food >_< Of course this is coming from someone who doesn't even know how to use chopsticks without fish flying over her head.

My Prime Suffering Years

So I got home all huff-and-puff about the weekend and wrote here. I didn't really wanna write about such negativity but I needed to let it out. I guess it was better than me losing my job... or is it?

I've been swimming in so much bad energy and I feel so tired right now. I've been trying to be all nice and happy so that good energy flows back to me, but it seemed like I just got s--- on this week. No matter what I did, I can't get a break. I do my job, I still get yelled at. I don't do my job and I get nagged about it.

I am hoping November's gonna be better for me. I am hoping I get that other job too so I can at least get some extra money.

As for painting or drawing, this should be the best time to make any artwork. BUT I AM PHYSICALLY TIRED. I am in a gotta-drag-my-butt-to-do-anything mode, but even though I am not making any art at least my head is pulsing with ideas. Gotta see the good side on this bad thing, Imma quote a line said by Steve Carell as Uncle Frank in "Little Miss Sunshine" while he was talking to his nephew:

"Anyway, [Proust] uh... he gets down to the end of his life, and he looks back and decides that all those years he suffered, Those were the best years of his life, 'cause they made him who he was. All those years he was happy? You know, total waste. Didn't learn a thing. So, if you sleep until you're 18... Ah, think of the suffering you're gonna miss. I mean high school? High school-those are your prime suffering years. You don't get better suffering than that."

I'm a teenager in high school again and this is my prime suffering years. If days like these don't give me enough of a push to pull myself out of this rut, I don't think anything would.

I want 8 minutes of my life back...

That is sooo NOT a phone. It's just someone scratching her ear or cupping her ears to hear something better.

Charlie Chaplin cell phone video: Is Charlie Chaplin time traveler real?

To read more: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/10/27/1323008/charlie-chaplin-cell-phone-video.html#ixzz13cn8TubJ

I am a genius!!! OK Maybe not...

This is probably one of the only day offs I had that I woke up extra early. I had me some coffee and watched "America's Test Kitchens" DVD that I had borrowed from the library then when my boyfriend woke up, I made us lunch (spaghetti).I finally talked him into letting me buy *cheap* bookcase (made of particle board, not real wood) to place my art supplies in.

I went to my interview today and the manager tells me she doesn't have that much hours to give so she had stopped hiring. JUST MY LUCK. She mentioned that she might be hiring closer to the holidays (I am assuming pre-Black Friday AKA day after Thanksgiving) and for after-holidays because of inventory... but even then, it's just 10-15 hrs. Fortunately, I am not one to just let her say no so I stressed that those hours are fine and even if it was seasonal or for inventory because I had worked in three major retail stores and has done inventory and stockroom duties. She looked at me like I was nuts and she asked how young I was. HAHAHA. I told her that I am turning 27 and she was still impressed. Yay me!!! Also, I spotted a box easel there for $69.99... wish me luck cause I am definitely saving up for it.

After the interview, I went to the Goodwill across the street, to see if they had anything new. I read in someone's blog where she had gotten a huge pile of  art supplies for like $10. No luck for me. I did manage to find an old picnic basket for two bucks which I am going to use to hold my acrylic paints and picked up "Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom (I think it was the same one I passed up last time) for a buck.

Then I headed towards Kohls to see if they still had some college dorm furnitures. They didn't. Instead, I got me a belt for $2.50 and a cap for $4.60. I had about five bucks in store credit so I pretty much got them for free ^___^ I stopped at Target but there really weren't that many deals. I saw a 4-tier bookcase for $20. It was too small for my taste. I gave up and just headed towards Big Lots.

I spotted the 5-tier cherry bookcase for $27 that they had in the ads and this nice lady named Tiffany got a box for me and even loaded it to my car. After BL, I went to the post office to pick up some boxes I am going to use for some projects.

So this is what the bookcase looks like. See the picnic basket? ^_^ And I said 5-tier bookcase, right? Note that there's 6 tiers. OOOH! Yeah I made that top one by sandwiching styrofoam between two pieces of cardboard (the boxes I picked up). I am not planning to put anything heavy on it since it's not gonna hold, just some of my blank canvasses. And did you guys see the inspiration board? Yeah, I am a genius.

Oh my poor baby!

I meant my boyfriend, by the way. Hahaha. There isn't an infant in the house... although my cat is about the size of one. ^_^

Anyways work was yet again not busy. They kicked me outta there by 2:30 pm. I was given a choice to stay until 5 or to go home early and I opted early because I thought I can bring a burger home to my sick hunnybunny. I ran into Michaels to check out the sale on artist pads. I have enough sketching paper (which they had a lot of) but I am definitely running out of acrylic paper. Unfortunately, the one brand I want (Canson) wasn't on sale. What they did had no canvas-y texture to it. Another pad had half the amount of paper in the Canson pad and about twice the price (even with my coupon) so I said no way. I ended up heading towards the canvas racks and picked up 2-pack 11x14s. I usually get them at Big Lots for about $3 each but 40% of $8 for the 2-pack = $2.40 each. SCORE! Then I got myself an aluminum water-bottle for $1.50... It's sooo cute. I get free soda at work and I am hoping this water-bottle's gonna stop me from drinking soda.  I sorta made a promise to myself to go on a diet with one of my coworkers (he's staying away from carbs, I am staying away from soda ^_^) and I hope the water-bottle idea will inspire me.

After Michaels, I headed towards the library and picked up 11 books on art. I picked up books on Matisse, Pollock, Expressionism, Impressionism and Surrealism just to name a few. And DVDs too!

When I got home, my boyfriend had his burger and he tells me he has a homeowners meeting that he had forgotten to tell me *SIGH* While he ate, I read about and wrote down notes on Surrealism and its founders. Pretty neat stuff ^_^

Alternative Bagel and Schmear Breakfast

I LOOOOOOVE Bagels + Cream Cheese. Plain, not flavored cream cheese. I love the plain, poppy seed, garlic and everything bagels. ZOMG, what I would kill to have the real stuff right now. I guess my Sandwich Rounds with Neufchatel and Kona Coffee are going to have to do for my breakfast ^_^ I am bringing some frozen food to cook at work so I might get peckish anyway.

My first bagel was at Not Just Bagels when I used to live in Staten Island, NY. Oh I went there almost every damn day when I was in junior high school. I was a latchkey kid and I usually can't wait until dinner at 7 pm when my  dad gets home. My mom usually left something on the counter for me to cook later that evening though. I guess that's when I actually learned to cook (Mom refused to let me help her cook when we had a small deli back when I was young. All I did was stir pots, not really prepare the food).

It's reassuring to see that the bagel shop's still there. The staff there was unusually nice for New Yorkers. HAHAHAAA!!! Will probably go there one last time before I decide I will NEVER step foot in that God-forsaken island ever again.

Tired

I have been tired yesterday and today as well. I don't know why since I only worked until 1 pm today (too dreary today so boss-man told me to go home). I went to Michaels to see if there are anything worth buying, no luck for me. The stuff in the circulars sound awesome but nothing I wanted was on sale -_-

But I have been collecting huge Styrofoam sheets for a while now. Got most of them from work. They're all about 1.5 inches thick, some are about 2 feet by 3 feet in size while some are just under 2x2. I have been meaning to make something of this stuff. I was planning to make a small cabinet or something, but I don't know how well it would hold up!

Anyways, I chose a 2x3 and decided to make an inspiration board today.  I lightly glued cardboard (thick application of glue might make the cardboard impenetrable O_o) on one side because I imagined that styrofoam won't hold pushpins all that well on its own. Then I picked out my favorite color gift wrap and glued that on as well. I have a few bits of twine and tan/brown yarn that I am going to use to hang this... when I get to buy some Command Strips. Those things are AWESOME!
I also took some pushpins and dipped them in pink acrylic paint to match the pink dots on the giftwrapper. ZOMG this is gonna look soooo cute! Maybe I am going to make one for my bathroom (maybe for my jewelry and little knick knacks?), but I am going to have to find me some pink cloth to match the other stuff in my bathroom. Hmm... might find something at the dollar store...

Imma Need All the Luck I Can Get...

So I got out of work today and decided to pop in Big Lots. I was hoping that they'd have more canvasses but unfortunately, the fuckers decided to no longer sell single-packs. I only had enough money to buy one so I skipped on it today.
I have been meaning to go to Nippan Daido, a Japanese mini grocery, and today I went. I picked up some nori (seaweed) and Panko breading. I was quite upset when the cashier told me they won't have spring roll wrappers until next month (seriously. WTF?!?!?!) I highly doubt I will ever go there again unless I'm in serious need of sweet rice flour and have no means of begging my hunny-bunny to go with me to the Asian supermarket.

Then I went over to the Tuesday Morning to see if they have any job openings. It paid off that one of the assistant managers and I spoke the same language cause she gave me tips on how to land a part-time job there. ^_^ Not to mention that she took my business card and said she might order some frozen food from me... score baby!!!

When I got home, I logged on World of Warcraft just to say hi to some of my guys. I miss most of them a lot but hey I got more things than I can handle at the moment. I was tempted to play for a little bit, but I decided against it. I have a painting that's just asking to be finished.

WIP: "Mosaic Seahorse"

So I cooked me some Mochiko Chicken (leftovers from the ones I am gonna use to lure some more of my frozen food orders) so I won't be hungry in the middle of painting.

Anyways, I tried my luck on encaustic painting. I went outside on the patio (just so if the stupid wax spills, it won't be all over the carpet and my boyfriend won't have a fit). I placed a cupcake pan on top of candles so I can melt the crayons (derpderp moment!). The crayons barely even melted! I mean it did, but it was only like a thin layer of melted wax then the rest of the crayon was sorta floating on top of it.

Rule numero uno of painting = have enough paint on your brush. I can't even get enough wax for my brush to get soaked up! I guess I need an actual heating plate for this... now, where is that 40% coupon for Michaels again?

Anyways, I gave up on that and spent the whole day painting "Mosaic Seahorse". I think I watched a few movies (50 First Dates, Dune, Ponette [a French film], The Secret Garden) and the first disc of the 4th Season of South Park. Still, I wasn't done by 11 pm. So I called it a night. I do have work in the morning!

This is what I have so far. Not bad, in my honest opinion. The colors are inspired by a batik cloth pattern I saw in Jo Anns the other day.

Melted Crayons = WIN?

I think I was still in junior high school when I tested my luck on encaustic painting. I didn't know what it was called at the time but I melted broken crayons in an aluminum pan and used that as my painting medium. Sadly I don't think I will ever see that painting again (it was an abstract purple tree with green skies) since that was more than a decade ago.

Anyways, encaustic painting is painting with hot wax. There are kinds of wax that are meant for this kind of painting, but since I am just starting (and not to mention BROKE) I am planning to use the wax from my old crayons. I have a ziploc bag full of Crayolas and another bag of "oil pastels" (that's more crayon than pastel!) that came with my artbox ages ago. Today I picked up an 8-ct box of Crayola for 60 cents (40% off coupon) and a 64-count box for 75 cents (I bought the cheap box because it's more translucent than the Crayolas which I might need for this painting I'm about to make for a friend).


This type of painting sorta scares me though, especially since our house is carpeted and I don't want to be spilling wax all over the place. Not to mention my cat might try to eat the carpet *SIGH* I am probably gonna do this outside on our patio but unfortunately, I also don't have a heating plate so candles are going to have to make do. Hmm... I think I am going to buy one of them candle warmer things. I think they're about $5 at Michaels... /looks for more Michaels coupons.

"Where's the Beef?"

I know this article is more than two years old. but this still infuriates me: See the Art You Paid for
Let me quote parts of it:
... Do you see a bunch of folks acting like fools on the beach in their underwear or do you see art? On her website, Houston playwright Crystal Jackson wants to fight stupidization. She got a Houston arts grant for writing plays with your tax money. And I want you to listen carefully to her opening line."I'm not a queer, but I want someone to (expletive) me in the (expletive) pretty much as soon as possible," read Jonathan Glus with the Houston Arts Alliance.
... Seventy-five-hundred bucks for a series of poems on how four city art pieces look during different times of the day. He got the grant in April 2007, got four checks, the last check in June of this year. But a year and a half later after getting the first money, not a single poem has been made public, even though the artist bills include $1,000 for printing.
... One theatre group claimed they had 9,500 people at two performances at the Third Ward Multiservice Center. Just one problem. The place only holds 400 people... Maybe that's how they knew there were 750 multi-racial people in the audience. Yes they claimed that, too.
... The Arts Alliance wanted you to pay nearly $200,000 to put a colorful image on stained glass windows in the tower of the new downtown fire station. You be the art critic. What do you think it looks like? "A lot of people at first termed it a flaming chicken," said Houston Fire Department Chief Phil Boriske.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for Fine Arts, Music and Performing Arts. But this is too f***ing ridiculous! Nudity IS an art-form but Jesus H. Christ, I don't want anybody getting free money over something that's inappropriate. They get grants for stupid concepts (Hmm, maybe I should design a stained glass with the image of a person getting stabbed for the Medical Centers? Note the sarcasm!). Not only that, some of them are cheating the system. Not only are they taking money from OUR taxes, they are taking it from people who ACTUALLY CREATE ART.

I am pro-euthanization of these a$$holes. Anybody with me?

Deals and Steals!

I finally downloaded Rocky Horror Picture Show and I am watching it as I write. This s*** is weeeeird. Too damn weird for my taste. I honestly don't have a clue what's going on and sad to say, I haven't a clue why people dress up and act like the characters in this musical. Anyways, I am watching it in hopes I can brace myself for Rocky Horror GLEE Show tomorrow (/gleek). Not that I am gonna be able to watch it as it airs. Gotta go to my nephew's football game. Go Patriots!!!

So I finally got the courage to go to Goodwill. It wasn't as bad as some people make it sound. The one I went to wasn't trashy, hell it was even cleaner than Marshalls! It smelled a little funny (more like dried paint and not really the musky smell that other people described it to be.)
GW had waaay more clothes than I imagined. Probably not a bad thing. Everything else in there is pretty bleh. I checked the book aisle. I had wanted to pick up "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom since it was only a dollar. Unfortunately some pages were torn out of (seriously? Who the hell defaces books like that!). So no book for me.

After I had gone to GW, I went to Joann's because I am about to run out of white acrylic paint. I was hoping I could get a bigger canister of it, but I picked up an ivory one, plus a few more colors that I was either running out of or some that I need for my next project... A seahorse or a mermaid or a starfish in the middle of aqua/purple batik waters. And guess what? The paint was only 50 cents each. Oh yeah!!!

Anyways, I snagged a set of picture frames at Goodwill for $3.99 and for a dollar I got a ceramic pitcher looking thing. I will update this entry when I take a picture of it.  I am planning to make origami flowers and I needed somewhere to put them. I originally was looking at a vase and I found one... but it looked yellowish, like someone had used it as an ashtray. EWWW!!!
Anyways, I didn't like how the frames were all white not to mention they already have white mats. So I painted the frames glossy black. I'll post the after pictures tomorrow after the paint has dried. The paint was streaking a bit (SHOOT ME!) but I refuse to buy aerosol paint for just one project. So "hand-painted" is going to have to do ^_^ It's not like anyone but me is going to look at the frames.

Cheap or Free Art Supplies... Possible? I THINK YES!!!

I got home last night tired from work, then headed to Dollar Tree for disposable gloves and a pan for when I do some encaustic painting. And then I ran around Michaels looking around the big store for a T-shirt shadow box so I can exchange the broken one I got the day before. I resisted the urge to buy a two-pack of 20x24 canvases for $8.99 and I would lie if I said I wasn't crying on the inside because of it.

Distraught over passing over the sale, I gathered all my paint, my brushes, tarp (so I won't be spilling paint all over the patio floor) and twine/yarn. I know the panels don't cost that much but even after I already opened my 16x20's and laid out where I wanted the lengths of the yarn to go, I didn't have the cajones to start my painting. Call me cheap but I didn't want to waste a panel over a trial and error experiment. So I used a sheet of my acrylic pad and taped it to a board using the blue painter's tape in the picture). The base turned out alright except for the area where I can still see the paper. Simple problem I can fix easily but using more paint next time or maybe a preliminary coat of paint. Then I started with the lines. At first, I thought the strings I used were too messy (which is fine since I was wearing gloves anyway!) but it's not creating the lines I wanted them to. But I didn't mind the lines by the time the paint dried. It's starting to grow on me now. I think I might try the same technique with twine, just to see how porous it is and if it would hold while it is soaking in paint.

Considering any kind of "art" hobby can be expensive, I decided to look online for ways to get art materials for free... or at least cheap. I made multiple google searches on the words cheap/free, crafts, art, materials, supplies, etc. 

My boyfriend is the one who got me looking for free stuff. It's not that I spend our money on just my art stuff (since I only use a portion of my tip money from work for my art supplies) but hey, if I can get it for free, why not?!?!? Last night, he was also screaming "OOH LOOK! Free Origami Paper at FreakyFreddies! Go get it!"

So I did what I was told (just so he'd shut up hahaha!) and look at the other free stuff there. Soon I was directed to Everything in Papercrafting website. There I signed up for 50 free origami papers. And I absolutely adore origami. I've been folding paper since I was in third grade when a Korean exchange student first gave me a paper crane. My mom bought me a few booklets (that I still have!) too. I also made a huge modular star similar to this one on the left for my Art teacher. I wonder if she still has it...

I already go to the post office for the boxes (not just for mailing!) if I ever needed cardboard. As for strings and ribbon scraps I might need, I've been advised to go to tailors. For wood, I think I am going to ask my workplace about the slots of wood we had just lying around the floor of our shed taking up space.

As for cheap materials, I have resorted to going to the local Dollar Tree and King Dollar. I usually get canisters of dry spice (why pay $3 on spices that taste just the same as the $1 canisters that are twice as big?) there, or baby wipes to clean my hands with in between drawing with pastels. I also found a $1 bag of 100ct. disposable gloves which I am going to need soon for when I get back to my "String" Projects. It's a steal since my boss told me that the 500 ct we have at work cost about 6 dollars or so.

I have always been a fan of Dollar Store Crafts and I am not ashamed to admit that I got a LOT of great ideas from browsing this website. I am about to nick the idea for their DVD or Book Organizer... unless I get an actual bookshelf for cheap instead... which lead me to...

One blog suggested I comb through the aisles of Goodwill. There is one near me and I was planning to drop off some old clothes I don't wear anymore anyway. Also, this Kitchen Caddy idea seems awesome! I guess Imma fight people for picture frames and canvases when I visit that place.

I wish I could remember some of the free stuff sites I went to. There were some giving away paper and paint samples. I'll get back to this when I get my samples in the mail.

An unintended Michael's Run

So at work today, I was listening in on my manager talking to the boss (btw the boss is her dad) on the phone and they were talking about how we haven't really sold any T-shirts for our restaurant since they posted a print of the shirts (instead of just hanging the damn shirts). She suggested we buy shadowboxes to put the shirts in and from what I can tell from her facial expressions her dad was screaming about how expensive those things are. That's when I butted in and said, "I can get them for $5 from Michaels!"

At the end of my shift, my manager lent me $20 to spend at Michaels (I told her I didn't have cash and I never bring my card). So I got two T-Shirt Display Frames. They were already on sale so I couldn't use my 40% off coupon (today was the last day -_-). But the $7.99 3-pack 16x20 Artist Panel came out to be $4.79 plus taxes. Not bad!


Then I got home and made some spring rolls. I had to roll 4 lbs of meat and about 3 cups of other ingredients plus the spices into little spring rolls. Let's just say it took me more than 2 hours to go through the whole damn thing. Then I stuck them in the freezer when I was done. THEN, I went and made Gumbo for my boyfriend's dinner.  I ate early because I didn't want to eat when he got home (he gets home late -_-) so I just surfed the internet. I bookmarked most of the pages I wanted to look at in the future. I'm too sleepy to really care so I'll blog about it tomorrow.

Such Ballsy Days as These...

Yesterday, I had a long day at work and a massive argument with a coworker (which ended with me in tears). I was tired cranky and still fuming when I got home last night so I chilled in front of the computer and just looked at inspirations online. When I got sick of looking around for stuff, I started on "First Steps". This is what I started with:

It didn't look too bad, but I don't think I like the Bienfang Raritan Drawing Pad all that much. The Rembrandt Pastels doesn't seem to want to stick to the damn paper. Probably my fault. I knew it was too smooth, but hey, that's just me trying to be adventurous.Maybe this picture was meant to be acrylic or watercolor instead of pastel. I don't know. I will try to finish this some other day though.

I woke up with a REALLY bad headache (which took 2 aspirins and an Excedrin migraine to get rid of) and we went to run errands. When the day was almost over, we headed to Viet Hoa, this massive Asian supermarket on steroids. I rarely go there (it's in a crazy part of town, not to mention I get lost in that area) so when I proposed we go today and my boyfriend said yes, I was like YAAAAAY!


We pretty much spent $30 on foods, not too bad in my opinion. Most of them are ingredients for Lumpia, the Filipino version of spring rolls. Wrappers, baby carrots (oh they are soo sweet an yummy!!!). Then I picked up some fish and lobster balls (saying this makes me laugh EVERY time, I can't help myself!!!) and Mochiko (sweet rice flour) which I am going to use for Mochi Balls and Mochiko Chicken some day...

I wasn't going to go and watch a movie with our friend, Steve, tonight but I don't see him often enough and well I figured I REALLY needed a laugh. I don't usually go for MTV Movies but Jackass 3D... is a different kind of artform... in stupidity-form mostly but it was so dang funny. I think I lost about a good third of my IQ, but it was worth it. I needed a stress-reliever after such a long day.

The Gold Medallion

I've had this pad of 5x7 Oil and Acrylic Canvas Paper for the longest time and I had wanted to use it. I am still in the *string*-high but I have a horrible headache so I decided to make a simple yet unique looking gold medallion necklace with a silver background. (I'll post it when I get a chance!) I highly doubt this is even considered real art, but oh well, I thought it turned out okay.

Reminiscing

So I hated grade school. Sure I got good grades and my teachers loved me... but it's those spoiled little brats I had for classmates made me want to "REDRUM! REDRUM!". Even if I was paid to go to a reunion, I probably wouldn't go in fear that I might bring a gun and shoot some of them point-blank.

On better note... I remember one of my art classes (I think it was in 4th grade) where we were given bits of string and a tub of paint. We were supposed to stick the strings in paint and place them on the paper and cover it with another piece of paper, weight that paper with a book and pull the string. That was the idea behind this latest mess (yeah, my boyfriend gave me the weirdest look when he saw my paint covered hands and I attempted to give him a hug).

So this is "Pulling Strings", after all the strings (of yarn) I pulled to achieve this picture.

I think I am going to make a few more mini-versions of this today. I really do feel like crap but I don't want to just sit my butt in front of the TV... at least I can do something while I'm watching.

Finished: Midsummer Night's Dream

I hate allergies. I hate pollen... and I hate whatever else gives me a headache the second I wake up in the morning. But that didn't stop me from finishing what I started last night. ^_^
So I did a draw-over on the earlier version of MND and used Rembrandts instead of my Artist's Loft pastels. The AL pastels just weren't vibrant enough for me. Finished Product:

Will use the AL pastels again though, but maybe for landscape drawing or something that doesn't require that much dark detailing.

As I am writing this, I am recovering from food coma after coming back from eating at Marini's Empanada House. That was some goooood eating!!! I got the combo meal with Ham and Cheese Empanada, curly fries and Dulche de Leche Empanada for dessert (ZOMG sugar-rush!). Wish they had some yellow cheese in with the ham (like cheddar or a sweeter cheese like American maybe?) but then again, yellow cheese don't really fry all that well. I speak from experience.

Anyways, I saw some good artwork on their walls. I assume some of them are made just for the restaurant by regulars. Some are prints of Picasso's work (whose work I haven't really looked at before) which I thought were pretty odd-looking. But there are a few blank spots that are just asking to have paintings on them. Might have to go back there more times and when (*if*) I get to be good at what I can do, I can ask them if I can post my artwork on their walls.

Midsummer Night's Dream

I started on my "Midsummer Night's Dream" portrait today and experimented with a new set of pastels. I wanted to practice with soft pastels without using up all my good stuff (AKA my Rembrandts). So I bought a Artist's Loft Soft Pastels for $3 (after coupon ^_^). 
There was minimal binding agent for the pastels and it's very powdery. I sorta liked it cause it made blending a LOT easier. Downside? The colors aren't as rich and dark and buttery looking as the Rembrandts. Oh well, I did say I am just using the cheap ones to practice on, right?

My Artbox gets a Makeover

I redid the lining of my artbox a week or so ago and this is what it looked like:

And when I was done today, it looked like this:

I am quite proud of it. I made the inside box myself and lined it with an aqua/light pink adhesive lining from the dollar store. I achieved the *hollowed out* compartment feel by slicing a large paper towel roll horizontally and placing convex, side to side from another. Then I lined them with faux suede lining. As for the drawers, I just added some compartment and lined those with the same lining I used for the upper box.

I think I might move my oil pastels with the pencils and place my soft pastels in the uppers instead... if only I can find them... (*SIGH*)

New Old Artbox

I made some pretty awesome tempura shrimp last night, my boyfriend was so full he passed out an hour after we ate. HAHAHAA! After watching a couple of episodes of Boston Legal, I decided to suck it up and start on refinishing my artbox.

At first it's just this ugly artbox with no compartments but I made a couple of dividers out of cardboard and cut-out large toilet paper rolls (for months now, I had taken a lot home from my workplace since we use paper towels like there's no tomorrow!). It's not quite finished yet because I have yet to decide what to do with the smaller drawers. Prolly more dividers but short/taller to fit my pencils (since it's the drawers are so shallow and can't really fit anything else but pencils!)

I saw a similiar artbox at Michaels for 29.99 the other day and it was just a box with maybe 6-10 compartments more suited for a painter, not really for me. The one I have now so far has about 14 on the top part alone. I am going to work on the drawers when I get home from work today though.

On GLEE's "Grilled Cheesus"

My boyfriend and I was watching Glee on DVD last night and thank God I got the Glee: The Complete First Season (7 Discs)+ Bonus disc - Only at Target for my boyfriend's birthday (and YES, he asked for it). Anyways, I popped in the Extras DVD and watched a panel interview of the cast. Now, I already knew that Chris Colfer was not only given a part, but that the producers liked him so much during their interview that they made a part just for him. During the interview, one of the guys told Chris that he had a feeling Chris had been in a production of the Sound of Music. And Chris did, as Kurt, one of the  "incorrigible" sons of Captain Von Trapp.


Anyways, his character is named after that Von Trapp but I didn't know the origin of his last name! I didn't know about Hummel figurines so I decided to look it up. I laughed when I spotted the pink cheeks of the figurines. Yeah Chris does have resemblance to the the Hummel figurines.

Anyways, this is what I read:
Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel's works were discovered by Franz Goebel after a small publisher began printing her artwork as postcards. Goebel started production of the figurines under the authorization of the convent of Siessen. Although sister Hummel died in 1946 from tuberculosis, Goebel carried her legacy of her design.
The first Hummel figurines were sold in 1935. The figurines are all based on the drawings and paintings of children by sister Hummel. Though much of the art was done in the 1930s, the newer figurines have adopted a more contemporary appearance.

Hopefully, when I've become a better more skilled artist I hope to paint me something that resembles one of these cuties.