Out to Pasture

Here is my latest painting "Out to Pasture" I have fussed on it over and over, mostly the truck, and I am leaving it for a bit to see if I want to call it done or not.  I  can tell you it's not always easy to know when a painting is finished.  I tend to overwork it and that doesn't mean it gets better.  I had some good feedback from Victoria a fellow artist whose work is much looser and she told me to use larger brushes for a looser effect.  So I did, I had the truck detailed and almost too defined until I used a fatter brush which loosened it up.  I like it looser and I'd like it looser still but I"ll get there....step by step...painting by painting....It feels exciting to be producing a body of work, to be able to consider myself an "artist".  Honestly I couldn't really feel comfortable wearing that title until recently, now I'm honored to be called an artist.  I'm amongst a prestidious group of acclaimed artists in the arsensal, and I am humbled by the talent surrounding me.  I'm humbled and inspired to keep making art so I can show in galleries and make some money with this passion.  What breeds success is action.  Doing a little bit everyday towards a goal will eventually get you what you are after, it's really that simple.  What prevents people from doing the work isn't the work itself but the fear of success.  It's easier and safer to dream about things than to put yourself out there and try, to maybe not be the best but learn from being ok, perhaps good even.  If you keep at it, eventually you might get great but you'll never be great if you don't try.  If you don't start.  I am proud of myself for just doing it, for believing in myself enough to say I will succeed.  Now I realize that I can dream bigger and bigger, it's ok to go for it, to think why not me?  If it's meant to be then it will be, all I have to do is show up and do my best.  I have never been so driven or so sure of my footing before, there is no chance I will falter.

Spring is here!!!

Today's weather was epic, the truest feeling of spring was everywhere. I could have sliced the air and eaten it, it was so delicious!! I had to be outside as much as possible, and while I had responsibilities that made me go indoors from time to time, I ducked out whenever possible and gulped some of that tasty spring day. I took some photographs of the blooming flowers near my house, and while I was loading them browsed other images that felt flirty and fun. It's days like today that make the world a brighter, happy place. I hope you were able to take some of it in and you weren't stuck inside an air conditioned building. It's gotta be hard to work on a day like today when sky's the limit and the sun is shining. I am busy painting 5 new pet portraits, trucks, a baby shower present and anything else that I can muster. It's great, I'm not complaining, it's exactly what I want to be doing. My brain is spinning on it's axis with all the things I want to do and that's a wonderful place to be. The future looks so good, with the warm weather comes more customers and that's a good thing for this hip chick. I hope to see you all at the studio and happy spring to you!!

A look back at my beginnings

Today I thought about taking a second to look how far I've come in such a short amount of time. I got my studio last April of 2009 and I had the front section, Bob was right behind me and a woman named Robynn was in the back. This was how it remained until December 2009. That was when I expanded, Bob moved into the back and I made Hip Chick's a proper store. While I patiently waited to get my space ready I sold some treasure at Colorz Hair salon's Christmas Boutique in Walnut Creek. The month of December was busy with painting the floors, having our own Christmas and gathering merchandise. The Grand Opening was January 16th and now here it is March 12th, and it feels like I've been doing this a lot longer than just 2 months!!! I thought I would show a few pictures of this progression as it's always fun to look at where it was and where it is now. I started my store concept at "Room with a Past" renting a space for about a year before I realized I wanted to make my studio a store/art studio. "Room" gave me valuable experience as I got to merchandise my space, gather items, price, and feel what it would be like to have a store without the pressure of a large space. From Room I had accumulated a good stash of merchandise and I started with that, and then I kept adding to get enough to fill both sections of the studio. Now it's packed and I have a humble corner to store my painting supplies and necessities. I am thrilled at the progress I've managed so far, currently I am working on painting a series for open studios which is May 1st and 2nd and a HUGE once a year event for the arsenal. It's free, it's fun and if you're able to come I highly encourage it. All the artists open their doors and present their studios and you can see where they 'live', what art is made and meet these creative, wonderful people. Last year I had just come on the scene and I was tickled to meet as many of the artists as I could. This year I'll be in my store, hopefully selling my own art, selling fun treasures and showcasing my sweet haven. A lot can happen in a year that's for sure!!! Thanks to all who have been along for the ride and who continue to support and inspire me with their love and enthusiasm. It's my dream come true. Wonder where this next year will take me?????

Scrap and Happy Birthday to Sharon!!

Today we celebrated Sharon's birthday which is really March 15th. We had cake and a small present(more to follow) and dashed to "Scrap" in the city. SCRAP is a creative reuse center, store and workshop space founded in 1976 in San Francisco, California. Donations of high quality, low cost, re-usable materials such as textiles, paper, jewelry findings, wood, buttons and plastics are collected from businesses, institutions and individuals then sorted, displayed and distributed by SCRAP for artists, educational and community groups. Free materials and art activities are provided through our community outreach service.

By breathing new life into old objects, SCRAP reduces the amount of waste going to crowded landfills. By offering low cost art and re-use workshops and providing schools and organizations with badly needed art supplies, SCRAP stimulates creativity and environmental awareness. Nourished by so many wonderful SCRAP treasures, Children and adults learn how to "REDUCE, RE-USE AND RECYCLE."

Manufacturers save money on their disposal costs and receive tax benefits. Artists, museums, senior groups, summer camps, children's centers and theater groups transform SCRAP materials into sculptures, paintings, and other masterpieces. Anyone can contribute by purchasing or donating high quality, clean, reusable materials that might otherwise be thrown away.

So that tells you about it and the pictures show you what it's like, there is random stuff and one has to dig but we girls have NO problem with that. Ended up getting a nice pile of stuff and two doors to boot!! We both want to make them into tables and they are chipped, old and charming. Then we drove by the ship where Harry works, he's a "Captain" of the TS Golden Bear. The TS Golden Bear is the training ship of the California Maritime Academy (CMA), a campus of the California State University. The first training ship of the California Maritime Academy was known as the Training Ship California State, then as the T.S. Golden State. Since then, there have been three ships to bear the name T.S. Golden Bear. I wanted to see inside but we didn't have time today so I took a sweet family photo and then dashed to pick up Abby from school. Once home Abby and I rearranged my bedroom (naturally) as Ben had painted it a soothing palegray/lavendar and it needed some decorating. Shazam it's fabulous!! Didn't have time for pictures...Plus it's not picture perfect, yet! Another splattery, artistic, action packed fantastic day!!! Off to "work" tomorrow......

Sunny Sunday in Napa

What a gorgeous day to go to Napa, the weather was perfect! Abby and I were in Napa today to cheer Ben at the finish and he made it in 3hours 30 mins, super runner that he is. Not one to make a fuss he skipped the massage (Not me I can tell you) and we went to St. Helena to grab a well deserved meal. We ate at Cindy's backstreet kitchen and Ben had a duck burger and we toasted his accomplishment. He drove home and good thing as he was then called to work poor thing, whilst Abby and I did some sight seeing. Got a few trinket's at Lolo's consignment and then I took Abby to the castle where Jake was last week on the bachelor. It's gorgeous and it was fun to see the chickens and sheep cruising about the grounds. We saw a flea market that caught our eye (it never escapes mine!) and we decided to see if we could still grab a bargain before the day was over. It was still open, and a bit of a disappointment but we managed to find a couple goodies before heading home in bumper to bumper traffic. I think everyone was out on their Sunday drive today!! I was excited to see two rambling trucks as I'm in my truck phase, perhaps they will make it to the canvas sometime soon. All in all a killer day and topped off with the Academy Awards show, my favorite!

Beautiful Ava and Hip chick's best day yet!!!

Here is adorable Ava, she came into Hip Chick's with her mother and was my best customer ever. She is five years old, cute as a button, as well as fun and fabulous. She captivated me with her beauty and charm. Her mom was sweet and enthusiastic about the shop, making piles of goodies while Ava and I colored a picture together. Wish I would've taken a picture of that but I wasn't thinking clearly in all the excitement. You understand. She was such a hip chick and only 5 years old, she loves flowers in her hair, (she bought the flower headband), and she also got the flower hat that is like a walking, talking party on your head. This girl has style and is going places let me tell you. I can't wait to see her again and Ava if you're reading this thank you for making my day today. You are a treasure!! I continued to have loads of mothers and daughters today, must've been the beautiful weather and everyone was in a joyous mood. I couldn't help glowing myself as everyone was so complimentary to the store and it's wonderful vibe. It was wonderful validation which keeps this hip chick motivated to keep doing her thing. I have started another truck painting, this one much larger and I am going to do a series of vintage trucks and put them all on my back wall...It'll be so cute with hubcaps and license plates, very country girl/hip chick style. It ended up being my best day since my grand opening after a pretty slow week so I was elated. I can't believe I get to buy treasure, sell it, decorate and paint and call it my "job". I am one blessed and grateful hip chick.......

Ohmega Salvage, Urban Ore, Jimmy Bean's and East Bay Depot for Creative Use

Today was not damped by the rain, Sharon and I planned on hunting for treasure and hunt we did!!! We started at Ohmega Salvage in Berkeley where I got a metal box and a metal star. Then we went to Urban Ore a treasure trove which had thus far been untapped by either of us crazy ladies. It was a huge warehouse full of doors, windows, tables, knick knacks, books etc...I was in heaven! I got a sweet file cabinet/table to use for my paints and to hold all my various papers. It was $22 which felt like a good deal, also accumulated a drawer, a jar for $5 that Sharon thought was WAY too expensive (hahaha) and a wire basket. After all the shopping we needed to refuel so we went to Jimmy Bean's which had been recommended previously to me by lovely Linda. Good choice, their food is kick ass. Sharon had to leave and tend to her flock but she gave me the 411 on the East Bay Depot for Creative Use in Oakland. Another treasure trove!! Got a bag full of art supplies for collaging and creating art for $30.00 along with a killer spool table for $10.00! I was one satisfied hip chick when I looked in the back of my car and saw all the goodies. Not bad for a day's work, it's a tough job (not) and I'm just the woman to do it!!!