Idolatrieartist's Curiosities

Finally- I have supplies for you HUNGRY ARTISTS!

Maybe it is something in the air lately?
Maybe it is something inside of me...

But I decided to take lessons on how to paint like the Dutch Masters- yes! Paint...
Something I have wanted to do for SO LONG and never had the time, money, courage.
Well I am still not sure if I have the money and the courage- but now is the time!

Tell me- have you felt like your life has been on "auto-pilot"?
Goodness... do something about it!
SEIZE THE DAY!

You are not getting younger, time is not going to wait, there is never a better time than the present...

Well- those are the voices that have been swelling in my mind lately.

This time I am paying attention.
I call it SPRING!

So I am going to call my instructor tomorrow and find out the specifics.
I am excited to learn how to grind my own pigments! Mmm-pigments!

In the meantime- I finished my little odd awkward painting today- FINALLY!

and I even got back to work on this one:

"Infant of Cats"- with a cat on his head and a ball of yarn in his hands...
It is good to be so challenged in life...

So maybe this is the message from the Universe workings it way through me to you...
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today!

Tattoos:
What is it like to knowingly put your body through such pain?

Well from what I know of the pain I felt today, I will share with you, some thoughts about the process that I sat through for three hours, with you.

I think you just ignore, forget, fool yourself into believing that pain is not such a terrible thing when it comes to wanting a pay off of a tattoo.

In my mind I know fully well that it is going to hurt like hell. But I ignore it because I want this pretty picture on my body and I figure it is worth a few hours of pain... right? Haaa... sure. I always forget. My body just seems to cut off that huge part of this process. For the average person who does not like needles or takes pain well, this would be a cold slap in the face- saying, "NO WAY!" Well... they might be the smart ones. It makes sense to resist such things. I know well enough not to touch a hot stove as well as the rest of the world -well mostly. But yet in this case, I still set out a block of time for the afternoon, get showered, dressed in clothes which I know will allow him access to my skin without having to completely get undressed (much to his disappointment- maybe? I would think that might be a perk of such a career?). I watch the clock and drive downtown through the rain and traffic, hoping to find a parking place- only to get there and sit for almost three hours of self imposed pain. Humm... do the math? Making art in a warm dry studio, drinking coffee, listening to something on the television while the cats sleep... or having vibrating needles dig ink into your soft sensitive skin?
Ahhh yes.
This does not add up.

Let me tell you a little of what it truly was like for me.

At first, I was sitting up right in a chair. Straddling it backwards as he began to work. His arms leaning on my bare back. My hands were crossed in front of me at first. The needles began and I was shocked into complete and total awareness that I was receiving pain. All of my senses were on fire. Everything becomes very clear. I can hear sounds differently. I feel like I can see colors more brightly and everything is crisp. I notice things that I never noticed before because my mind is looking for an escape from the pain. I see my water bottle on the floor where I placed it and notice how much water I have drank today. I see his business cards lined up neatly in a little holder waiting for the perfect stranger to receive one. The music changes from hardcore punkrock of my youthful days to something like a ballad by Eartha Kitt or someone sounding very sultry. I lock onto it trying to focus as best as I can- all which running from the pain. I find my fingers are beginning to dig into the back of the chair. I notice the metal I am gripping onto. It is cool to the touch. My body starts to sink deeper down. My posture fades and I am pushing harder against the back of the foam padding.

I carry on a carefree in my conversation- talking about picking crayon colors for the Crayola Crayon Company, and how it would be a perfect job for me. I say I can create the most unusual color names in the word and spit out the color name: "Metabolism Gray". He happily plays along with my strange games and says, "Chopstick Beige", stating that "if beige were not enough of a description, that using the word "chopstick" would make it a most perfect shade ever". We come up with several more including Squirrel belly pink before I notice that my knuckles are beginning to loose color and feeling. I have been gripping too hard and I need to stop.

I find a moment when he is pausing to change something on his magic tray of supplies and I turn to him and say, "Darlin, I need to do this laying down". Ahh such a sweet patient kind boy, he quickly stops and goes for his massage table and sets it up. This is such a well-needed break from this pain. But the voice in my head is telling me that this is not going to be easy. I return the thought of, "TOO LATE NOW- you can't turn back because it is not finished and you would look foolish- let alone be too embarrassed to explain that the pain is too much..." It is that easy. Fear of embarrassment is all that it takes to make me lay down on that table.

I mange to find a position where I can get comfortable and he starts back to work on me. THERE IT IS AGAIN! Goodness that pain is sharp and focused. I switch up my legs a million times, I squish my face into the soft vinyl table and I shut my eyes as tightly as I can. I continue to listen to the music and hope for something that I can follow along too. Needles change rhythm, he wipes away the blood and ink each time he makes another pass- Wipe, wipe, drill, drill, wipe again I flinch. It is torture. Who would think that something like soft paper towels could feel like fire?

Another pause after about a half-hour and I jump at the chance to run to the bathroom. I think that the pain of this whole process makes the body loose control and having to go. It becomes something that cannot be stopped I fear. I run into the bathroom and shut the door. I can feel the ice-cold breeze on my back and it is divine. Such sweet relief. It is just the break I need for my brain to be fooled into thinking that -again- this pain is not so bad. Ahh bargaining again inside with the voices! Ha!

I return to the table this time for the last hour or so. The music has changed, people come in and out of the shop. I pay attention to voices and play games with myself at who is saying what. Towards the end, after my conversations have turn to pure nonsense and I am loosing my vocabulary, I notice that I have begun to grab hold of the underside of the massage table. Gripping it like I was holding onto to the side of a building thirty stories up. I was sore; my neck completely stiff and time was running out.

I then felt it- I cold wet slush of liquid across my back. Did I hear the sound of a sizzle? No, that was all in my mind. Ah but it was over. He told me to take a look and see. I laughed to myself thinking I truly did not care what I would see and that it was perfect no matter what. All I want to do is pay and run as fast as I can away from this place- right now!

He handed me the mirror and I looked. It was lovely. Subtle colors just like the photograph of the actual bug. I turned to him and smiled and said that I loved it. I gushed. I meant it. I thanked him. He is such a dear friend of mine. Could pull double duty as my therapist with all the talking we do to pass the time. It is always a brilliant turn out when we get together... and the pain was slowly fading into a tolerable dull hum.

He bandaged me up with something like a giant diaper and taped me in pretty good. I could not easily move my arm or get dressed so he helped me to get my arm through my blouse. I put on my scarf and coat and returned to the girl who walked in about three hours earlier. Happy again, forgetful, silly, as witty as I can manage, and always humble...

Before I left, I snared another photo with him. He is so patient with me and plays along nicely. I know he enjoys my odd playful nature.

You know... for liking him as much as I do, returning to him again and again- I think it is so incredibly strange that I pay him to; essentially, hurt me!!! Hummm this is such a strange concept. But it works and I am sure I will go back and sit through the pain again. It is really all worth forgetting in the end. Thank you body... now lets get some sleep!
xox

Yes- I am giving a piece of of my jewelry- away!
Go Peek! http://idolatrieartist.typepad.com/

Pass it on...

xox

Today was the day for this new addition~

Baltimore Tattoo Museum- Bill Stevenson
This was at the half-way mark today-
The line work and the shading was finished and the color will be done in a few weeks.

All and all- I am in love with it.

Such an awkward and charming bug.
More photos later...
xox

Here are a few images from my workbench over the past week-

And then this piece: MARY LOU ZEEK GALLERY- "100 Artists Show" submission

It feels really good to have these two pieces behind me.
Now I can move onto...
What is up next?
I am trying to figure it out. I have things I need to do -mixed- with things I want to do. My house in in serious need to some attention. The main room needs new paint and I need to put up art work. I hate feeling unsettled and having things so unfinished. I think I may take a day and just do it! I also have to finish things like attending to all of my clothes which seem to just pile up...
Anyway- you get the picture- when my home is in disrepair I feel like I just can't concentrate.

Oh? Art-wise? Well I bought a LARGE drawing pad and I am going to go out to the studio tomorrow morning and straighten and clean and claim an area for drawing larger and painting. THAT is exciting to me! Haa...

Then it is all back to work with prepping for teaching, working on the business, posting images of new jewelry for ETSY, and Making Demos.

Not to mention break ground on the new book.

All of which will happen- by the end of this week- as I optimistically predict! I know- not holding breath! That is a LOT!

Ok- now I am off to bed...
More tomorrow~
xoxox

On this day in 2002 I created this blog. It was my Very first blog! Since this time I have spread like a virus all over the internet. But I must say- I remain faithful to you my dear Xanga...

Here is my original post:

I am Here Tonight for the first time- So for my Birthday- I have made this Blog! Like I need a new project on the internet! So I begin with a interesting quote I got from a birthday log place somewhere on the internet- Thought for the day : " The light of a hundred stars doesn't equal the light of the moon. " And the reason I am here is because of someone I have never meet but found anyway- http://www.imood.com/query.cgi?email=streetmouse@hotmail.com If you know her- thank her for me!"

Ahhh DO you know... that SONJA Actually Wished me a Happy Birthday already today! I am so incredibly thrilled to have so many internet friends. (*And I think in a perfect world- I would have Sonja write my "Life Story" since I think she is a smashing writer- if she would even consider writing something non-fiction! I at least know it would be SASSY! haaa!)

If it wasn't for this blog- I would not have had so many doors open for me and my career...

My life is lovely. I am fortunate.
Most of all- I am Thankful...

So Dad came over with the kittens! I knew I was in trouble when one of them exited his cage and took a big stretched and walked over and punched Mr. Virgil in the head... Poor Virgil didn't even see it coming! Haaa- Oh a lighter note- it was actually a little kitchen tap... but still. The long car ride didn't even phase him! On the other hand- The Cow-girl was traumatized and hid most of the day. She only now came out at 10:00pm. Dad and I went to lunch today and had another lovely afternoon! As I have said a hundred times before- these times I spend with my Dad are some of the best times ever- I love him so much and we are just so much the same in so many ways. Right down to his silly humor!

I feel much more prepared for them this time (I THINK) although since it has been raining like crazy- my basement leaked a little in one place- How do I know? Mr. Badness went down and played like 5yr old in a puddle. He came up to show it to me by jumping on me and getting me wet and dirty! I took Mr. Badness to the sink- turned on the water and proceeded to wash him- much to his dislike. When I was fully tenderized like a nice piece of meat- I wrapped kitten in a towel... where be began to purr and get comfy and start to sleep!?!?! DAMN THAT SWEET LITTLE KITTEN! Like Kryptonite! Anyhoo- Things are going well...

SO far I only have a few blurry photos of my house- it is not decorated the way I want it yet- but you will get to see a peek at what I have been working on... Soon I hope to have some art up on the walls- it has been YEARS since I have been able to gather some things together and get it up- As embarrassing as that is to admit. It seems as if I put things like this off far too much. I think it has a lot to do with the lack of people who I have over. Sometimes I wonder why bother... but lately I really want my house to feel complete.


More later... and without blur!
xxooxx

 This and more in my ESTY!

Tomorrow around 2pm Eastern Time- I will post these on ETSY!
(Need to create the necklace part for these pendants...)
Goodness I am crazy about them!

EDIT:
3 hours and the house is changed...

It began with the Boy going to the basement to attack the floor- it needed cleaning. Then he started moving things. Once things were open, he began to assemble huge industrial shelves. As he went downstairs to work- I went to put in some laundry and then went to the kitchen and pulled out the frozen meatballs, set up my crock-pot and added in my jelly and bar-b-q sauce! I turned it on high and got to work.

The worst part of all of this was opening drawers and finding "stuff"- things which get moved from place to place because they do not have a real place to live. I took out all of my dishes from the Hutch and set them up nicely in the kitchen cabinet- (washing the glass shelves too) then I undid the big dinning room table and took it apart! I moved the boy's glass IKEA floor size cases- all three of them! And then I finally cleaned the floor, moved the rug out (temp) and moved in the futon- moved the 1 ton television into place (where it will sit until the boy can run some new cable) and put the floor lamps into place next to the futon.

It looks like a perfect living room- almost! I still have a lot of sorting, and redecorating to do this week. It will be finished soon.
BUT
The bulk of this CRAZY idea was completed in 3 hours!

The boy came up- took a shower (He was so sweaty since it is tropical outside! I had to keep all the windows open while we worked) After his shower, he sat on the couch with me- in the new living room and I fixed up a bowl of "ghetto" meatballs! (*This is what they called them on line! I did not make this up...go look for yourself!) I don't care what they are called they are AMAZINGLY Good comfort food. A refreshing can of cold diet sprite to wash it down- and I am off to bed. I will have to get back to cleaning again tomorrow. And of course- photos when I
have the energy.

What a night...

_________________________________

(Photo of tree from a couple of years ago when I first bought it- Note: Paige kitty... *sigh*)
Today- I went to set up the 4 foot Xmas tree not knowing the chaos it would bring...
It went together in two easy parts (thank you Martha Stewart) and I set in on a table in front of the window in the living room. The problem began when the two small chairs seemed to be slightly crowded. I decided it was time to swap the furniture around to accommodate everything more easily. *NO! I Do not know why it seemed to work years ago and not really work this year- as not much has changed- other than...well... ME!

BUT- THIS is NOT simple in my house sadly. It is long and narrow and nothing fits easily. I took the futon and moved it against the bay window and had to clean all the stuff (dirt) which had collected over time from under there... I then began the HUGE task of moving the giant TV (by myself because I believe I can do anything which I can- but to outsiders it might seem otherwise...) This is when Thomas walked in. He helped me move it into place and we sat. Our nose was like 5-6 feet from that damn TV! No room for a coffee table and well EVERYTHING SUCKED! No matter how hard we tried (AND WE TRIED) to rearrange things- everything seem awkward. THEN HE SAID IT...

"I know this is going to sound a little kooky- but..." (HA! Nothing at this point could sound weird- as nothing was working out at all... He finished, "What if we go back to using the dinning room as a living room and DO we REALLY even need a dinning room? How many times since we have had this house have we really used it?" As fast as he said it- I returned with a YES. Yes lets do it. Lets completely change our entire world right now since we are about to completely redo the bathroom in about 2 weeks... UUUGH!!! It actually is a good solution for a constant issue.

So the living room now- will become a sitting room of sorts- a place to display art and to pass through to get to the kitchen or the new living room. The old dinning room will have to be undone- as in- take down the big hutch, find places for those dishes, take apart the table and of course take down the big light which hangs over the table and replace it with something swanky and lounge-y.

Something which goes with the seductive dark red walls and ceiling. Everything in that room now- screams brothel... so putting a comfy-futon couch in there will make for some delightful downtime.

What happens now when I want to host a dinner? Haaa... I can set up something I am sure. I used to entertain in the dinning room when it was once a tv room long ago and it was charming! Candles and finger foods- all with perfect lighting...

And so- with the words spoken by the BOY I obliviously do not know- LETS START TONIGHT... Yikes.

NEW Photos soon...

Posted a few new things on ETSY!
(Enjoy!)

I am not going to lie to you...
I am a girl of simple tastes at times. Dare I say- common.
Tonight I made what I am going to call- my secret shame.

Super Big Pigs in blankets...
(@#$%^ Ever since I was at that Halloween party and stepped into the kitchen and watch the lovely hostess pop a tray into the over- as she pulled out a perfectly cooked sheet of glistening goodness- and OH HOW I REFUSED THEM...)
Well I am broken.
I had to make them.
I am weak.

I will not call this dinner.
It is not worthy of the dinners I am accustom too...
BUT I WILL SAY
It was GOOD
I ate three
(And cried tears of joy with eat bite...)

Now I need to do 6 1/2 hours of working out to try to work this off!
Uuuugh
S H A M E!!!
xoxoxox

I am wishing for snow-
Everyone else is getting it and although it is snowing in the western mountains here in Maryland- nothing has hit the ground here. I love snow- It makes me feel festive and I enjoy things so much better- like coffee- which is warmer and tastes better- warms me on the inside. Socks actually do more than cushion my feet- they actually keep me warm. You know! The BED makes sleep more sleepier!

So snow makes me happy...

I went to Target today to buy lights for the outside of our house. I stood there and stared at the strange new variety of lights which they now offer.

I actually thought about getting those white LED lights which look like icy cold white beacons which can CUT through the most dense foggy nights- but knew deep down that those just did not say- Xmas. So I actually called Thomas at work and asked him for his opinion. HE said the very same thing about the LED's- just not Xmas enough. Too Modern and not warm and comforting. So we decided on the clear-colored C7 bulbs! You know- Old school! The same lights that I would spend HOURS watching- blink- from the warmth and safety of my parents bedroom- on nights when I was very young and would wind up having bad dreams- I think I really wanted to just watch those lights shining across the street on the neighbors house- to be honest... Which also reminds me of how the Ice would form on the inside of our windows in our old house! WOW... how things have changed- double fancy insulated windows etc... Ahhh I miss that frost and ice. I used to scratch it off and make a small pile of snow on the window ledge...

Anyway- I bought lights and I also bought this: (See! I did get snow today...)

Indeed- it plays music which makes Virgil kitty FREAK OUT- he will run over to sniff it... and well- that makes me laugh!
OH! I also bought Vespa a Snowman sweater too! OMGoodness too funny- I will take photos tomorrow. I swear he is the Dog I never had!

And one more thing- Target finally threw me a bone and came out with a very sexy bra-panty-garter set! FINALLY! I have been waiting MONTHS for them to get something fancy in again... Ahhhh! So nice!

And well that is more or less- it. Minus me working on jewelry in the morning and then heading to Joanne's and the grocery store to get my errands done.

*I a frustrated that I didn't get to see the Leonids... again. I went out again to night to try and see something and sadly- it was too cold and the moon was really bright... needless to say- the 30 degree air won this time! There will always be the Geminids on December 13th!
xoxox

I was just not sure- what to do with this little taxidermy sparrow- so I made a little copper box.
It would take a sensitive and very strong willed person to wear something like this... I would think.

I know- it means a lot to me.
I will put it on ETSY.

Okay- I better get moving- more work tomorrow.
xxooxx

WOW! Husband just came home from work-Talk about Extreme Voting- is passing a KIDNEY stone right now & yet going to go stand in line?!?! Eeek!

How about you???

What is your story?

xxooxx
j a n e

Something I made today-
It makes my heart swell...
I posted it in my ETSY shop.
XxooxX

 

 

I did it again- I had to justify today as a time for myself- isn't that silly-stupid? I mean I had to keep telling myself all day that it is okay to do something other than work on art and to go and work on... art. Are you following me? (Indeed I am having a hard time with things...)
Haa... I know it is all one thing- but well- in my brain- I feel like I can not waste any time. That being said- I decided that I would take today and spend it anyway I wanted and not feel bad...

A little while back- I had won this delightful kitten-pin cushion on Ebay and knew he and I would make beautiful music together! Well - more like Art...

So I grabbed hold of him and rushed out to the studio and without thinking too much an over analyzing it into the ground- I just quickly sketched out an image- and went right to work. Not sure if this was the right way to begin a painting- but I thought I needed to let go of the heaviness of the process and just dig in...

Well- here it is-for now. Something which I can get gratification from quickly. I rather like being able to work like this...

More later- I need to get myself to bed soon.

Thank you for following me- as always.
xxooxx