artsy update & travels

once again, i've been neglecting my blog. but i have a few minutes, so i'm going to do a quick catch up!
since the 100 girls show ended, i've been working on one single painting only..which is really weird for me. ususally i have a bunch of things going on at once. this painting however is so huge that it really takes up too much space in my studio area to work on anything else.  SO at the moment i'm completely enveloped in this painting...

a beginning stage in-progress shot

still in-progress, but coming together now.

 there are soooooo many more details to add.  the background is acrylic, with silver paint in many areas, creating a shimmering almost metal effect.  The girls are going to be completed in oils to make them really pop and come alive.  i'm still decided on how to finish their hair. this painting is for a salon, so the hair has to look damn good as well as the nails!

i'm using up so much paint for this painting. squeeeeezing the last drop out of these tubes.

 My next show is going to be a one night artist reception at BeBeO's in the Towe District held on Friday July 22nd from 5-8pm. my friends Mary and Lupe Oftedal who own the boutique are being nice enough not only to have several of my paintings hung in their store but also hold a reception where you can come and view newer paintings for sale, merchandise and chat with me. Should be a fun evening!  I can't wait to go to San Fran the following day with my bestie Deanna as well, so it will be a great weekend up ahead.

the flyer for my next show.

 Also, recently did a trade with Miss Maryanne Oliver from Australia.  She sent me this beautiful painting a few weeks ago, and i am thrilled about it!! Can't wait to get her in a frame.  My studio is such a mess right now i can't even get to the wall to hang anything.  I have several original paintings from both local artists and artists from around the world that need to be hung!! 

by: maryanne oliver..just for me! ♥

 I've been enjoying the summer as much as i can, and so i've gone on a few weekend trips. Here are some of my favorite pics from a trip down to Valencia to go to Six Flags and also a trip over to visit my dad and Kayaking at Stillwater Cove by Pebble Beach...good times :-)

stillwater cove. i want to live right there at this coast. i only need a few hundred million bucks.

snapping pics while on the kayak

checking out the miniature world of animals that live in the kelp. very interesting little creatures.

just a perfectly beautiful day to be on the coast, or in the coast rather.

a little harbor seal...he was just checking me out :-)

 and now here's some pics from a trip down south to Valencia (just outside of L.A.) it was a beautiful day. but was a little hot at Six Flags.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites and it was sooo nice, but it seemed like everybody else had the same idea we did. (we used priceline) there was piles and piles of families there. the line for breakfast was insane.  but hey what can you do!  it was still fun to get away!

snapshot on the way, just before the grapevine.  looking pretty dry out here.

phew! just got to the park.  excited to get on some ride!

yummmy sandwhiches at Dink's New York Diner

on the way home. snapshot of a beautiful sunset. makes me at peace.

this weekend i'm really hoping to finish the painting i've been working on, and start on something new.  just a little over one month and i'll be going to school full time studying art at Fresno State.  I'm super excited about my classes...you may not be aware that i'm really quite interested in forensic/criminology type stuff.  at one point of my life i actually wanted to be a detective, but i realized quickly that probably wasn't for me.  however i'm still interested in why people commit crimes, especially when they are violent snap crimes. like when a husband catches his wife cheating and kills both his wife and the guy.  It fascinates me that "normal" people can snap and in a rage of passion do something so horrible.  so anyway, my classes are...Art (content & form), Art (intermediate painting), Art History (rennaisance *yay*), Criminology, and The Science & Art of Blood.   hehe :-) it will be fun, interesting and challenging!  wooh! 

until next time...