Unusual Girl Studios

Real short post (as if I could....)here's some eye candy for all you artists out there.... I'm working on a transfer technique. It might help if I read some directions...I had some, I made a copy and I keep it...somewhere... Last night I was thinking..."I really need to buy that image transfer book I saw at the bookstore!" But then Stern Self spoke up and said "No, you don't need to! You need to watch your pennies! Or else, you'll end up in debtors prison" Stern Self added. Disbelieving and Unimpressed self yawned "Yeah, right, develop self discipline now ...tell that to your abs....by the way they don't have debtor's prison anymore...so timely of you.." Whimiscal self said "Maybe you could take your books with you and do crafts with the other guests..." Disbelieving and Unimpressed self snorted "Maybe you could go to the same prison that Martha Stewart did! They're probably missing her these days! You could...

We always used to say that- "the neighbor lady 'cross the street" to differentiate from the one next door or the one next door on the other side. If you are wondering what these creatures are- no, they are not some mal-formed gingerbread cookies- nibble at your own risk- I'll tell you. Its not unusual for me to start a new project before the current one is finished. Ms. Secret Gardens is just about done and so these guys are next. I may hit up my friend Cheekygreen designs to be in a booth with her at a Christmas show or perhaps finally start that Etsy store...or neither...I'm over booked, ya know! These ladies are an interpertation of a sketch. I still have a few bugs to work out as they do not quite resemble the drawing. As they are supposed to be an ornament I felt they should also carry a message (surprise! Doesn't my work always carry a message? Maybe I am a know-it-all?) I imagined sending one to my aunt which led to the thought I should reference my mot...

Never are they missed so much as when they don't work! Mine are taking a short break after a visit to the dentist today. Blog about a visit to the dentist? Why the poor girl must be pretty hard up! That is how I feel, pretty hard up and showin' a little wear- long in the tooth as they say! Ha! I amuse myself. Root canal! The phrase that strikes fear in the hearts of many. Not mine. I'm too busy being afraid of the word- dentist . Yeah, they had me at "How can we help you- Mrs. ChrisChronicles? Not that we don't know what we should do given free reign but this being America and all- what problem do you choose to treat today?" That's right. I am just old enough to have a past that includes a dentist who didn't numb up the area before giving shots. That's a neat technique- wish they would have thought of that- oh I dunno- DECADES ago. Also I have this freaky delay in my system that causes me to need just a few more than the reccomended ...

Did you know, sweet girl, that sometimes when you sleep your momma stares at you? That she tries to memorize every fraction of every inch of your face? That she knows as much as she wants to- next year she won't be able to recall your face exactly as it was this moment? That she is slightly fearful that you will grow and grow and grow away from her and that she's watching it happen with every breath you take? Did you know that tonight of all nights your momma needed to look at you for a long time to drink in your beauty? That your beauty filled her and washed away the day's worry and angst? Did you know that you soothed her so that calmness could come and then rest would follow? Did you know that she searches your face for signs of the woman to come and wishes her hard earned wisdom into your soul? That she vows to protect you and guide you, to shelter you and to shape you? Did you know that for one last long moment she searches again- for signs of that tiny child she broug...

Art room, where art thou? Will I ever create again? Will I ever post again? I think not as a heartless employer (not really heartless) keeps me tied to my workstation and at the end of the day I have not even the fortitude to wait for my dial up to load the page. My family agrees. Kayla had a talk with me about it. "Mom, you've been working too much and not spending with us!" "You are doing too much art- we never see you" Before you tear up remember this is the girl who came up with 'two gerbils and a rat' to describe the size of her mosquito bite. "So this is what you wanted to talk to me about? Well, we could make the most of this time we are spending right now. How does that sound?" I considered discussing my job, my extra hours, all the reasons I need to work extra hours but it makes me tired to talk about it. I could tell her that I carve out time to do art as a secret revenge for having to conform to society- even if its at ...

I really like to share work in progress. I like to see other artists work in the in-between stages and love when they post the story as it develops. So here's how I treated the head/hair and it feels right. Just swept over one shoulder. Can you see the hinges I used to keep the skirt closed? They are from scrapbooking supplies. Very fun and functional. All along I have struggled with this piece's shape- long and narrow, strictly straight up and down. So not me. It became about creating texture on the surface both tactile and visual. I also struggled with content- what was she about, did she have a message, was she merely a study or statement? In contrast to all the other ladies I have conjured up she is highly decorative and well- clothed. So what did that mean? But what do clothes mean anyways? What does our style say about us? How much of our look is dictates of our society and how much truly reflects our self ? And then there was the whole....hole. What was that all about? ...

Meeting up with friends, loved and dearly missed- Joellen! My friend since I was a junior in high school, husbands were best friends for many years- lots of stories to share. This girl has the biggest kindest heart and a smile for any and all. She works full time and then some to feed two teenage boys all on her own and finds her grace in it all. Favorite conversations with short humans- Kayla: MOM! My back hurts! Stop sitting like a pretzel. NO, really it hurts! There's a huge bump on my back! Really? REALLY! Its as big as two gerbils and a RAT! Wow, that's big. Lemme' see. Kayla! It's a mosquito bite! With Hubby, not knowing SHE hears everything- Hubby- "I asked the teacher about her homework she's missed. She said not to worry, Brooke's doing fine" Me- "Well, I have a sneaking suspicion she really likes Brooke." Then realizing Big Ears was listening I added "Umm, because she follows the rules in class." Big Ears nods k...