And So Summer Begins

I had a whole year recap drafted. Twice. At this point, I decided to delete it, but kept a few parts which for a recap of 2023:

- 2023 started with high hopes, then my family had an unexpected situation. It was probably my least productive year quantity size for my art, however, I poured myself into the pieces that I did do. So while not many, I felt some were the best I’ve done in awhile.
- I was in two art shows/events, including El Corazón for the 3rd time. At both events, I sold work, two at The Art of Woman event. I felt so good, even after the Woman event, my husband mentioned how a light inside me returned; I really needed to hear that - I took risks, showing art is always a risk, it’s exposing yourself, and people liked it, people I don’t know liked it, and some people bought it.
- I finally updated a page for my Heart of a Song challenge from 2022.

Now it is June 2024, so what’s happened?
- Well, a big reason I painted was so little was because I was pregnant, and this time around, was very exhausted. My baby was born in March.
- I showed some work at a local recreation center.
- I finished a few paintings, and as recently as yesterday, finished two: one I started years ago, and one I started within the last few months.
- A brand new page is now available: 2023 - 2024. I’m slowly working on adding works from this year to that page. Which, on that note, I know my photos are not the best, for now for this website, it will do.

As I can, I’m starting new pieces, probably too many at once, but hey, at least I’ll have a lot of options to choose from when I can paint?

Summer time is often the least productive time because it’s so hot here in Texas. However, I’ve learned to garden a little thanks to a friend, and I’m becoming even more inspired with these life changes as my daughter is starting to show her own creativity at home. Maybe this summer will be different, maybe not. Either way, I’ll find a way to sneak in a few blobs of paint here and there.

Purple balloon flower from the start of my flowerbed

Currently Reading: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
Currently Listening: The Shape of Fluidity by DOOL
Currently Watching: Ted Lasso

The Art of Woman and How I Took a Chance

Several months ago, I heard about a local event in my city for an event showcasing art from local women. After getting more information and reaching out to the group, CART, I ended up in being what would be my first vendor/art show event in September, where I’d actually see about selling my work.

This has always been my plan, but more like my “in 4-5 years I’ll figure this out” plan - figuring out taking payments, maybe look into getting prints of my work, selling at in-person events, shipping work, etc. However, an opportunity popped up, and as nervous as I was, I went for it. Displaying five pieces, I ended up selling two to the same person with the payment options I had. Let me repeat that: I SOLD TWO PIECES AT AN EVENT AND IT WENT WELL! It was a big boost in my artistic confidence. I also had to be very social, so as I introvert, I did my best. I spoke with many people, and probably received one of the best compliments regarding my art and me: “The way you are dressed and your makeup completely matches your work, it’s great”. That made me feel that I was successful as proving how much my art is a part of me.

It was also very motivating of, do I really have to wait 4-5 years to really do this? Maybe not. It would not be a full-time commitment, something on the side, a way of just sharing my work. And after much discussion with friends, I settled with reasonable prices for my art as to not under sell myself (pricing art is the wooooooooooooorst, said like Jean Ralphio from Parks and Recreation). Plus, I wanted to keep in mind one of my high school art teachers who at her own show said regarding the price of her artwork: “I want the prices to make it so people can actually buy the work.” I never forgot that, and so it’s a balance I want to strive for.

Here are some pictures from that night:

This blog was drafted back in December, so as of now, here’s what I’m currently doing as of February -
Currently Reading: You Can’t be Serious by Kal Penn
Currently Listening: Spine by Myrkur
Currently Watching: The Crown (season 6)

2022 Goal: December - December

Disclaimer 9/25/23: Hi, it’s me. Procrastinator when it comes to blog. This was written a few months ago, but I kept forgetting to edit photos and actually add them to this post. I finally did. So here you go. Let’s see if I can get a page up with all the photos this week heh…..



It’s time to wrap this much belated series up with the blog -

I didn’t indeed to wrap this series up with a Linkin Park song, but I did. At the same time, it makes sense that a band that meant a lot to me in my music journey be a part of this series. Their song “My December” ended up being a perfect way to conclude. Song Link.

Background is again tissue paper, but I also used white chalk for the moon and trees. I wanted to keep this small purple heart in the forefront. To me, the song is one of longing and hope, so while there is a lonely heart in the center, it’s surrounded by trees that are there within reach. I don’t recall being aware at the time that Linkin Park would release their second album Meteora for it’s 20 year anniversary months later, so it’s in a way even more fitting, even if this song was a bonus track from Hybrid Theory.

So ends this series, that was completed on the timetable, just not on the blog. This is life. I also have an idea for a series, but that won’t start until later this year or next year. Doing a project like this every two years is very motivating and fulfilling. Next up is making a page for all the pieces, and eventually finding some of them homes.

Currently Reading: Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid

Currently Listening: Woven Into Ashes by Vintersea

Currently Watching: Pose (rewatching for the second time)

2022 Goal: November - Blue

Much belated blog:

I’ve wanted to do a painting inspired by Draconian’s song “Pale Tortured Blue”, however, the ideas did amount to anything or were too difficult or neglected. Then going to a friend’s house, a thought suddenly occurred to me as this song played. Little did I know that once this piece would be completed, that it would (happily) leave me so soon.

Song Link

I was so excited to go with this idea and try something new in terms of mixed media. I purchased a pack of dragger charms that would pierce this blue heart, with a blue flame. As the lyrics of the song go, “The cold fire suits you / A pale tortured blue blistering through”. I used modeling paste and acrylic paint, tissue paper as the background. The painting happened so fast, but I was so enthralled with the idea of using charms or other objects in my work. This would inspire another painting as well (more to come on that…. hopefully?).

So why did this painting leave me so soon? I applied for the annual El Corazón exhibition at the Bath House Cultural Center, and this piece was accepted! Since hearts have so much meaning to me, it’s always great to apply and see other heart themed art. This was my third time to be in the exhibition. Further, I received an email that a patron was interested in my piece and made the purchase. Thus, the first time outside of family, friends, or my college senior show, that I had sold a piece. It was very humbling and grateful to the buyer. It was also very encouraging that a stranger found interest in my work, one that was also exploring something new.

One more painting for this project to blog about, then more things sooooon!

Currently Reading: The Sandman: Overture by Neil Gaiman.

Currently Listening: Stars & Embers album by ISON

Currently Watching: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel