New Year's Resolutions

 

Happy 2017 y’all! We are just about 2 weeks in and I am starting on my first resolution which of course is: POSTING ON HERE MORE. A lot of things have been competing for my time over the last year, including PLANNING MY WEDDING! So excited April is coming sooner than I thought though and there are TONS of things to get done before then but the major things are settled.

In true geek fashion, we are having a themed wedding, Doctor Who to be exact! So when the day comes be ready for lots and lots of TARDIS pictures. Consider yourselves warned!


  I am also tackling a new “medium” for myself: pastries. So right now I’m exploring #winesfordessert its my slogan for the marriage between my love of wine and my love for creativity.#imnotalush #butilovemyvino #winesfordessert is creating pastries while using wines, namely local Virginia wines as a main ingredient in the confections. Hoping to roll that into something commercial but right now in the early stages. #2017goals I have so far posted pictures of my first two creations (that I’ve allowed to be public) on my Instagram @dcurbanpixie and one of those creations was retweeted/shared by the winery I produced it from. My Greenhill Blanc de Blancs cupcakes caught Greenhill’s attention so what a great way to finish 2016 and begin 2017. All smiles over here so be prepared, in the words of Scar from “The Lion King”, for more shares on this end.

Of course lets not forget why we are here in the first place, paintings! I will be posting more soon and creating more work, now that I am getting back on track with my personal pursuits. Part of why I slowed down is I just simply needed the mental break after Grad School. Getting my MA was a lot of work, time, and pretty much took all of my creative juices when it came to writing paper after paper after paper. All worth it in the end as I got to walk for my graduation in 2016 (although I technically graduated in Dec 2015) and I now have an MA at the end of my name. Lots of new things happened last year, all good at least on a personal note (otherwise 2016, well, we know how we all feel about that year now don’t we), and lots more to come from 2017.

Last but not least, I want to say thanks to all those that continued to stay followers on this page. I love you all! So here is to a happy, productive, goal achieving, spectacular 2017.

Cheers!

Newest creation

So...I know it has been a hot minute since I posted a new creation here. I am trying to name her...any suggestions??? Comment below...

DC Video Shoot Off May 2013

Sometime ago, I had talked about the DC Video Shoot Off I was participating in.

Today, I finally get around to posting a link of the video here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGeuvTdvgDA&list=PLEVSO3UzJgCvfHUGrYixt-BSTKIShcfA0&index=8


Lessons Learned:

Often when someone is so sure they are good at something, put them in a different role that will challenge them. I won't elaborate too much on that lesson but it should be pretty self explanatory.

Even if you are rusty at this craft, dive right in anyways. I let my feelings of being unsure of my skills get in the way of some of my exploration into my craft.

Come to a consensus about what you want to be the absolute focus of the project, characters, etc before moving forward. Often we lose the original version whether we have lots of time (usually in our professional lives) and when we have very little time (as was the case in this shoot off).

When its time to take a breather, TAKE ONE! Burying yourself into a project regardless of a time crunch gets you no where. You only get more frustrated and locked in instead of exploring it. To be truthful, video and media are and can be art. With any work of art you have to allow the piece to unfold before your eyes, yes you start with a vision but most importantly listen and observe. Sometimes a "mistake" can be exploited. I do this all the time with my paintings, it can be applied to this as well.

Don't be afraid to listen to all ideas that come to the table, approach it with an open mind. This Workshop is for learning and playing with new equipment, ideas, experiences, and stories. There is always something to learn in a collaboration, don't be afraid of the opportunity to learn. Also, no one likes an insufferable no it all.

Don't insult your work before it is finished, seriously, what a downer. I have to cite something specific that was said in my group: We're just polishing up a turd at this point. Um...no...but if you go into the art of creation with that being your focus well...then it will be a turd.

Not everyone in the group can be a leader. Ever heard the saying "too many cooks in the kitchen"? Well it applies to this lesson. Often when too many people are trying to lead a project or discussion, you get into a place where something that should be a simple process turns into a chaotic mess.

Things I liked:

I liked meeting new people in this field. Networking is an awesome thing and I love making new connections and acquaintances.

Going into the field. Whether in a learning environment or for work, I love love LOVE going into the field to capture footage. This above all was my favorite.

Talking over ideas/brainstorming.  While we did struggle through some of this portion as a group, we had fun.

The mentors. Also a great opportunity to network with people in the field and make new connections, but also our mentor was a pretty cool guy and was an excellent resource for knowledge. Due to some differences in personality when it came to our group, I feel his talents were under utilized but he offered as much as he could and stayed with us through the long hours of the editing process that evening. I salute you sir and thanks for the book! :)

The feedback. I felt the feedback was useful and allowed me to go back and think of how things could have been done differently and how to handle a future project of that magnitude. Thanks to the judges for their notes and remarks.

You might be an artist if...

Calm Beautiful Chaos

 Newest.
Acrylic to 16X20 Canvas

As evident, this one is inspired by my napkin art. I listened to Eric Benet's song "News for You" while painting it.

I call it Calm Beautiful Chaos.

Napkin Art

As a result of my need to get out of the house but my habit of being a bit of an introvert, I tend to sit in cafes or karaoke bars and start drawing with whatever I can get my hands on. Which is typically a pen (usually from my pocket because I always have them on me) and a napkin. Here is one that I sketched out and inevitably did a painting, that while not a replica of the image above it is certainly inspired by it. :)

Ball Point Pen to Small Napkin

Explanations and Thank Yous ^_^

I've been meaning to post this for some time but one might wonder why I named one of my paintings "Wishful Thinking"

Well to be completely honest, I had experienced a bit of a disappointment in the relationship corner of my life and needed some paint and music therapy so...I was listening to this song while I painted "King of Wishful Thinking" by Go West (also the cover of it by New Found Glory). It's a song that just always puts me in a good mood, perhaps for nostalgic reasons and perhaps for the fact it's in one of my favorite "chick flicks" lol: Pretty Woman.

Another reason for me is that, when I separate from someone, a lot of the words in the song ring rather true. You can see the lyrics here.

Also, I happened to hear it on the radio this morning, which made me think back on that painting and the emotion that went into it.

Sketch: Sleeping Beauty

Another new sketch as I get back in the swing of things. I call her Sleeping Beauty. Which is funny as my current condition has put my sleeping patterns off a bit. This too shall pass. Anyways let me know what you think.

New Sketch

New Sketch. Below...well that's just the aftermath of the sketch on my hand lol

FINALLY! Painted the cover to my sketch book.

FINALLY painted it. Will eventually post some of the sketches. I don't feel they're worthy of publication JUST yet because I had stopped doing sketching for a while so, I'm getting back into the practice. Lot's of pages to fill but I like how the cover came out! I squeal with excessive amounts of Joy. Also...if you didn't notice I'm in some sort of weird pink phase. ;)

Love them Anyway...

  

  
A couple of lessons I have learned about people: 
1. Insecure people will work double time to try to make you feel just as insecure as they are, but love them anyway. 
2. A person who has no problem hurting themselves, won't have any problem hurting you, love them anyway.
3. So many people will tell you that you can't do something because they feel in themselves that they can't, keep doing you and love them anyway. 
4. The most sensitive people often have the biggest walls. I have realized walls are for cowards, open hearts are for the brave.
Welcome to Day 2 of 2013. Make the most of it, it is a page of a chapter of the book of your life. Have a good day everyone! ^_^


Paintings above: Acrylic on 9x12 Canvas 
Available as mug, magnet, and post card prints at dcurbanpixie.deviantart.com

Labor of love

Just realized that my hand cast a shadow on it when I too the photo. Will retake and repost eventually.

Wishful Thinking

Suppose it was just wishful thinking
Suppose it was just a dream
Suppose it was just a reality
Suppose it was just my imagination

What ever it was supposed to be...I am thankful for it nonetheless...

Let me know what you all think!

Hello DeviantART 1rst Journal Post

Hello All

   It's been about a month since my last post, rest assured I have not been resting on any of my efforts or pursuits. There's just been so much going on behind the scenes. From Film making, to painting to....starting my DeviantART account. That's right, yours truly, is now on DeviantART. So check out the page and buy some of my prints!! :)

Below you will find my first journal posting on my DeviantART profile as well as a link to my page there. And as always, I am thankful for all the support here on my original blog page. Keep checking both and btw...in the coming weeks I will have a review/opinion piece to post that I have been working on as well as a couple of new paintings.

DEVIANTART LINK: http://dcurbanpixie.deviantart.com/

Pens and Time