Finally brothers and sisters,: July 2008

Jul 30, 2008

Doodley-Doo

This was another practice drawing from the Draw With Children book.

Smitty the Swashbuckling Seahorse and Drake the Daring Dragon Eel

Air Guitar - walking through the slope.

crayon and water color image of the Slope

My Commute

an Owl

Stylin'

Jul 29, 2008

The Lunch Club, which was once an elite club (I got hung up on when inquiring about joining this band of authors,) has sold out (at least it's URL) to this trendy endeavor: http://www.thelunchclub.com/

Speaking of underground - here is another intriguing local phenomenon: Please Don't Tell is a secret hidden place that you can easily acquire details for online. I haven't been yet, but I have my suspicions (as well as my hidden joy).

Jul 28, 2008

These boots were made for walking...

In the current market how would one approach a job change? Several people I know have been moving around and shaking it up with their careers recently, and I just can't
picture myself taking and big risks or making any big moves, but am I taking a bigger risk by staying put?

In this article the About.com writer notes: "Broadening your experience across job functions will enhance your value" another interesting comment was that "there is an increasing trend among employers to treat long-term, loyal employees (what few are left, that is) as if they lack energy, ambition, and perhaps marketable skills as well."

I always thought I should stick it out and be rewarded for the long haul but apparently things change. Let me know what you think would be a good career move for me by taking the following poll...(CAST YOUR VOTE!)

Jul 25, 2008

Baby Baby I'm taken' with the notion...

Above is the growing family Smrekar! These long time friends just gave birth to little Sawyer Burghart Smrekar on July 19th. At 8lb 8oz 21" this guy is sure to be a welcome handful for the couple, and new aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends...

...If this photo is any indication, I think JB is gonna really enjoy being just as much of a kid as ever with his little buddy.

What a good lookin' crew. All the best JB, and Brandi, and Sawyer. Congrats! Particularly to Brandi who did a fabulous job bringing this little guy into fresh air. Much love!

Jul 23, 2008

(Un)Comforting Decisions...

I just purchased the aforementioned DVD of a salt water tank, as well as a couple of other delightful background DVD options. Somehow this has given me a great sense of (perhaps false) accomplishment. Maybe because I spent under $20 when I was originally inclined to spend upwards of $200? But why spend any money at all? Why not draw a fish and tape it to my wall? I wish I would have thought of this sooner...

How I Stay Bi-Coastal

Does it count as being bi-coastal if my home page is?
Recently, I have been joyfully settling in a bit more to my life in NY. However I am seeing this tax my California ties. It's a natural thing, but so much of the natural world is painful. When do we know to let go? How do we recognize the things that are worth grasping for, and not letting go of? It's a challenge to balance these things.
For now, I keep this reminder on my browser, and hope I choose wisely.

Jul 22, 2008

Wurd of Tha Dizzay

Interesting Bits For Today...

Gamine: an urchin; also, a mischievous girl or young woman.

Flirtationship: regularly flirting with a friend but nothing else.

Mouse Potato: Similar to the couch potato, however spending all that lazy time on the computer surfing the net or playing video games.

My definition of an expert in any field is a person who knows enough about what's really going on to be scared.
- PJ Plauger

Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about.
- Oscar Wilde

Dun-na-na-na-na-na-Two Face?

Batman/The Dark Knight was an interesting psychological follow-up to Batman Begins, the 2005 twist on an old favorite. This time around Christian Bale was not so convincingly tormented by his past love, he seemed more jaded and apathetic than ever. Except for maybe a few excited interactions with Morgan Freeman's Charecter, Lucius Fox, Christian did not seem to even want to take the lead in this film. Aaron Ekhart, try as he might, just didn't get to reach the full potential of his character ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-Face see what I mean?) either in the three hours this film ran - at least not to the extent that Heath Ledger was able.

I know everyone probably thinks - "Oh, he's dead now so this is his automatic immortalizing moment" but seriously, he was by far the most interesting to watch of the whole cast. He and Ekhart did make good foils for each other, and I enjoyed those few moments they had to duel it out.

Over all, I enjoyed it, lots of action, and gratuitous evil. But could have it been shortened, and should we expect more from some of our leading men? I think so.

Go see it anyway - those movie people have got to stay in business. ;-)

Jul 21, 2008

Art Omni Day Trip

http://www.artomi.org/

(Some Interesting Highlights...)

1) http://www.jamesgulliverhancock.com/
Illustration/Australian/Californian

2) http://www.rodrigobruna.cl/
TOAST!!!!!

3) Ivars Druelle
Fable* Sculpture - Moon/Mole
*There was another artist doing fable illustrations, but the style of the illustration wasn't quite as interesting as her humor. His public work was really fun, and I think the Bigger is Better scale won me over.

4) http://www.maryannstrandell.net/
Holographic Technique

5) http://www.sethchwastart.com/
" Seth Chwast was diagnosed with autism as a very young child, and lived for years in a world of roller coasters, haunted houses, and classical music. A dramatic change came in 2003, when at age 20 he took an oil painting class at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Seth, who rarely speaks, began describing his world in paint."

This autistic artist is currently working with a Brooklyn based artist and shows great benefit from making the work as well as showing significant creativity in each drawing and painting. I found it moving and provocative before I even knew a thing about the artist, and taking to his caretaker I was even more intrigued.

6) I saw Parker Posey and her dog.

7) There was a close call with a Seductive Farm Boy Apprentice, but all were spared.

On the drive home, I had a discussion with my friend who is going to be teaching art to K-8th graders. She was describing a book called Drawing with Children to me. I am interested in looking into this further, as I feel that my drawing education skewed me to believe "False Things" about my drawing abilities. This has given me 2 new goals: (a) re teach myself to look/draw, and (b) take a children's book-making seminar at "The Super Hero Supply Store"...more details to follow...

Jul 15, 2008

Crazy Dragon Eels - love 'em!

I am not sure why, but I love these frighteningly beautiful creatures. Though my favorite of the wild and wet kingdom still remains the Leafy Sea Dragon, this Dragon follows close behind. I remember when I lived with my parent's as a child, and we would take trips to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the eel they had there was brown and orange, as

I recall, and not nearly as attractive as Eels or Dragons I have seen since. However, I think my interested did spark even as early as then.

The real captivating moment would have been my day tripping from One Island to another on a visit to Hawaii when I saw one slither by me as I snorkeled in the rain. Somehow that intrigued me rather than freaking me out, and it took a jelly fish sting to get me out of that water.

All in all my very best memory of a Dragon Eel, I have to say, was a collaboration of imagination between a good friend and I on a little doodle we refer to as Patti The Dragon Eel. Inspired by care advice found on www.saltwaterfish.com and a little bit of our own flavor added. Patti smokes various substances in an arm chair draped in a maroon lounging jacket

when she has the chance to escape from her tank (a common occurrence for Hawaiian Dragon Eels, I guess...) Regardless of the fact that I cant seem to find this scetch, Patti lives on in our hearts.

As an added bonus for this post I include a photo I took of a guy in Florida who had a Leafy Sea Dragon Tattooed on his shoulder!!!

.....after further consideration, I think I may invest in a tank before a flat screen. Here is the image that convinced me: (or I may just get the flat screen and buy a DVD of an aquarium and call it a day)

Jul 14, 2008

Make you work hard, Make your spend hard, Make you want all of her love...

One thing I wonder about with this song, "Maneater" - is there really any men out there that are actually jealous and this obsessive with their woman? Do you get the impression that men want "all of your love", and does it take a woman who doesn't care to catch this kind of attentive man's eye? How the heck does this work? Here is a poll for the Ladies...

Buyer's Remorse: or how I came to love Betsey!

Here is a short tid-bit on the incomparable B.J.

Betsey Johnson (born 10 August 1942 in Wethersfield, Connecticut) is a fashion designer best known for her feminine and whimsical designs. She also is known for doing a cartwheel at the end of her fashion shows. She took many dance classes as a child and adolescent which inspired her love of costumes. After high school, Johnson studied at the Pratt Institute and then later graduated from Syracuse University where she was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority.^[1]

In 1968 she married Velvet Underground's John Cale. They divorced later in the year. She had a daughter, Lulu, in 1975 who now works with her and a granddaughter Layla.

She resides in New York but spends time in a house she owns in Mexico, which she named "Villa Betsey". Betsey also converted an old, small hotel in Mexico into a house which she rents out to interested people; this is called "Betseyville", and can accommodate 8–10 people.

____________________________________

Not all of Betsey's stuff is for me - but for those of you that know my style (in general) you could guess that I might feel an affinity for her playful and sweet design details.

Here is one of her new items that caught my eye as I was returning something at Macy's: (with my love of Aquatic Life that rivals "The Zissou" who could wonder?)

She also had a great beaded bracelet that caught my eye, but it was heavy and wide and slid right off my arm. (I gotta beef up a little...)

In other mid-level design news, I really like Hale Bob shoes right now - These puppies caught my eye and took over my judgment and also resulted in a quick return before I could wear them out of the "house".

You can't tell in this photo but the flowers and the beads are really sparkley.

I feel like I am 10 again, in my room, playing dress up, and hiding my jewelry from the neighbor boys all over again, thanks to a 66 year old, and a clever play off of probably the most widely observed comet of the twentieth century, and one of the brightest seen for many decades.

Here is to bright and playful people and ideas everywhere! Cheers!

A Few of My Favorite Things: (or) Money Doesn't Grow On Trees

I now have a window box planter with the following items flourishing in it:

Geraniums: 1 light lavender plant that is blooming and looks really healthy - the color is not to bright - really soothing and sweet.
Violets: I have one that has yet to flower, but the leaves are nice and fuzzy.
Shamrock: 3 little white flowers came out this weekend!
Ivy: always a nice hearty touch.

I really want a moon flower -- I had one at University and it died when I left it in my parents yard, I think. They are really delicate, but really beautiful...

I have a braided "money" tree. I got it at Blooms on 5th. I just found out it should help with the feung shui of my apartment. Though I don't put a lot of emphasis on that philosophy, I did look into it and the little hanging crystals and this fun braided plant really did help me feel more comfortable within my new space when placed in proper position.

Sadly, my 2 desert-y plants aren't doing too well. It just isn't dry enough to have my favorite succulents around. We will see how long they hang on.

***If anyone knows a welder, I have a set of 2 sea horse candle sconces and one was broken about a year ago, and hasn't been fixed. I know that even if it's leg is reattached it wont be that strong, but I would like to see what can be done.

Tuesday I expect the bench that I ordered from crate & barrel to arrive - already got the baskets:

All together these little mundane things are helping to make my little house (studio) into a home.

I hope you enjoy the day, and remember to love the ones you're with!