Friends and Family and Fun

I must say, I know some pretty incredible people. Just this weekend, Thomas got to be a guitar tech for someone pretty awesome on a private island in the BVIs, I met Buck from the Toasters, my friend Jon opened for them, and good memories were made. Throw into that the fact that one of the most talented people I know is celebrating her birthday tonight karaoke style and it was a musical weekend that was out of sight!

Adrienne really is talented. Her art is very thoughtful and detail oriented. She forces me to be a better artist. Most of my friends do that. It's why I love them. They are all, each of them uniquely talented even at the sake over overcoming things that most would consider a hindrance to their craft. I am fortunate that they allow me into their lives. They inadvertently push me to be a better version of me.

Whether music, photography, illustration, sculpture, culinary arts, prose, doodling even... they have all taught me so much and forced me to see things in a different way.

I couldn't begin to imagine my life without all the color and knowledge and care and love I recieve from these people. They are my best friends, my island family.

Tonight, we sing and have fun and remember why we love one another.

Cheers!

Adri, me, Tommy

Time to Just Be Me

Fig. 1 happy Mimi

The past year has been and interesting one, to say the least. Many good thing have happened: my band got steady gig, met some... interesting... people, found out I am to be an aunt, and I had an amazing first fund-raiser for Pin-ups in Paradise.

All this aside, I also got into an accident, got arrested (long story there), had a mini break down, had three deaths in two months time, and quit my job. Well, the last thing is actually very positive, but we'll get to that later.

Here I am, though, and I am happy. Happier than I have been in a loooooong while.

Fig. 2 amazing series of faces I did in
conjunction with Gemini Photography 

How is this possible? Because I am still free to be me.

I still get to create, I still get to make music, I still get to choose how I live, I still have the chance to do exactly what I want. The main difference is now I have the time to do it. No excuses. Shit or get off the pot.

The biggest surprise is... it's working. I have never felt more confident, more secure, or more successful.

Painting Again

I am so excited to be painting again! Moved into my new studio and put it to use today. It isn't quite as comfy as my old space yet, but I have paint on my hands and my apron on so I'm happy.

I didn't paint much since I'm out of practice, but I did four bags and a rock. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. Now I feel like I can start producing and selling again.  All I need are buyers! Can't wait to get into full production mode!

Tee Shirt Design Contest

we're making shirts! Now you, too, can be an
official member of the Rum Syndicate. It wouldn't be exciting without getting you involved somehow... so... shirt designs! We want retro, islandy, vintage-y, dark, drunk, flowery, argh!

Winner gets a shirt (duh) and a cash prize! In
essence, we wanna buy a shirt design from one of our talented fans. It just sounds more fun if it is a friendly competition. Post your pictures/ideas on our facebook page.
If you need the fonts we typically use let me know.
Then we'll make an album and have you cast votes with "likes."

So, you get monies, schwag, and your art featured publicly with your name for all to see
and the notoriety that cones with it. Pass this along to other artists! It's a great way to get your art seen internationally!

Thanks and Another Video Update

Feeling Home

This has been a heck of a year for me and last week didn't help. For those of you that do not already know, my house got burglarized. Kind of. Yes, some stuff was taken, but it felt like more of a vandalism. Things opened. Like an inventory was taken. Things like this normally don't bother me, but I don't have a whole lot left these days in the way of material things. I have very little and what is mine is just that: mine.

Fig. 1 The Hierarchy of Needs

Breaking into a car doesn't bother me, purse snatching even, as those are both deeply impersonal. To come into someones place of residence, though, knowing when they are not there, seeing photos, rummaging through personal belongings: that's invasive. I have had a hard enough time these past few months trying to feel like I have a place to call home and that was shattered. Abraham Maslow may have been onto something. My physiological needs are barely met- I am failing at the sleep thing and now my security feels insanely threatened. I miss my doggy. She made me feel safe.

So now I want a new home. Someplace where I feel secure, safe, healthy, and happy. A home isn't the walls or furnishings, it's how you feel when you are there. I feel at home in my art studio. I feel happy and at ease. I haven't felt home at the place I live except for when my two besties were there and we were cooking together. I have just felt like it was a place to shower and keep my clothes.

Fig. 2 Me and my besties

I am in dire need for shelter and having a home. I am working on it. I know I will be successful because even with all the chaos in my life, I have been happy with me for the first time in a long time. I like the person I have become and I know I can do this. For now, it's just scary and lonely but I am strong. Sort of having an inverse on the hierarchy.

How far along up your needs are you? Where do you feel most "at home?"

Art or Something Like It

The poster for part 2 of the event

Steve Rockstein is one of the most amazingly talented people I know and I am honored that he has allowed me to participate in what is sure to be an outstanding event in our community. His photography exhibition— aptly titled STEVE ROCKSTEIN: PHOTOGRAPHY 1971-2011— is his life’s work in every sense of the expression.

The exhibit will showcase more than 100 of Steve’s photos and covers every type of photography from photo-journalism to nature photography to portraits… whatever genre you want to put it in, the fact is it is all truly artistic. He cuts right to the core of the subject matter and really brings out the essence of what the subject (or his rendition of the subject) is attempting to portray. Steve’s shots all have a rawness and almost candid feel to them. He has an unapologetic take on photography that I would love to call “refreshing” amongst all the scores of people with expensive digital cameras and auto-focus that have websites and consider themselves photographers, but I can’t. It is just who he is.

He has taken pictures this way for far too long for me to call his take “refreshing:” it is simply genuine. It is provocative. It is introspective. You are sure to find a piece that will make you smile, make you wonder, make you reminisce, make you turn away, make you sad. His images invoke such an array of emotions every time I am fortunate enough to look at them. I am duly honored that I can even consider such a talent a friend as well. Luckily I know his awesome wife or she may wonder at my praises. It’s the artist in me: I can’t help it.

One of the most nerve binding views and he captured it perfectly.

Part One of the exhibit is at Oceana in French Town and Part Two will be at Seven Minus Seven in Subbase. Both parts take place on March 18th from 5-8pm and 9pm-midnight, respectively. I am honored that my band UncovereD will set the musical backdrop for a show that is not to be missed. If you can’t make it for the opening, the show hangs until April 15th.

Wildlife Pictures

Ever since I was younger I wanted to be a wildlife film-maker or photographer. That is part of the reason I started Potspoon! a few years back. It was supposed to have more videos, but also gave me a chance to flex my science writing skills and post some of the amazing pictures my husband and I have had the fortune of taking these past six or so years.

In the picture above, for example, I am stoked to be so close to a wild buffalo. I am glad my husband had the digital as I am rarely in any of our outdoors photos. The camera in my hand is a 35 mm camera because it just takes that good of pictures. I love the opportunity to take pictures of any sort of wildlife. My husband is excellent at flora and I take care of the fauna. It's a good match.

There is something absolutely magical about seeing an animal in the wild up close. There is a mutual respect that passes through you and the animal, as cheesy as that may sound. I know that a buffalo is capable of amazing ground speeds and could trample me. I have to respect that but also show that I do not intend to harm in return. My healthy fear and respect for the majesty of nature has allowed me some fantastic shots through the years and makes me want to learn more of the intricacies of photography.I'm ok with the SLR I have but really want to learn to better apply f/stop and shutter speed settings. Experimenting with them is one thing, but I want to step it up for sure! Mother Nature deserves a professional approach. Anyone can set things to certain settings and have the camera do all the work.

I suppose that is why I like my camera. It only does so much for me. I can't doctor or edit the photos easily. I can't take 100 photos and pick out the best ones. Well, I could, but it would be expensive and cost me lots of film and time. You have to make every shot count. Using a camera without all the fancy settings has made a better photographer and I can't wait to learn more.

What's your secret hobby?

Radio Time

Very exciting for my band is the fact that we got featured on our local morning show the day of our last concert. I didn't pick the song, but we did the best we could at 6:45 am. I had to drink a LOT of tea. Part of the reason I am so fidgety is the copious amounts of tea I had consumed that morning to aid in the warming of my vocal chords. Fun times! I hope you all enjoy it! If you haven't noticed in past posts... I am pretty excited about the music I get to make now. I am still doing lots of science on Potspoon!, but between the band, my art business, and other things, I haven't been blogging as much as I used to. Sorry. I hope all is well with all of you.

WOOHOO! First Listing...

Okay, it took a while but I did it! I listed my first thing on Etsy. So it's only one listing... whatever. I am working on it! Woohoo! Little by little. Now, off I go to deal with my stupid cars! Have a great day!

Rockstar

Ok, so I'm not really a rockstar, but I definitely am pretending to be. Aside from the crazy amount of painting and shows I have been doing, which are going great by the way, I auditioned for a hard rock band. Very different from the chic rock, folksy stuff I do on my own. One person in the band was pretty sure that he did not want a female in the band because he did not want the band to be "chic rock."

Well, I must've done something right because I have gone to two practices already and the band is very excited. We all have a lot of positive energy and agree on a bit, which is really surprising. I'm finally using my electric. When you are a one person show, doing metal songs alone is silly, so you do campfire acoustic sessions. Having a band makes such a difference. The band website is here. We are reworking a bit on it. I hope I can keep up though. The guys are such awesome musicians, but I already see myself improving my knowledge of guitar. It's so nice.

The art shows are doing great as well. It's kinda funny, because when I was really young, I told Mom that I would live someplace beachy, do science during the day, art for tourists, and play music on the weekends all in cutoffs and flip-flops. Well, I do write about science on Potspoon!, I definitely do art for tourists, and now I do music too! Oh yeah, and I live in paradise. Not the EXACT dream I had, but, this is pretty close to living it, I must say. Now all I need is a Vespa and I'm set! ;)
So that is what's keeping me busy, well, that and Floyd... What's new with you guys?

Update on the Show

On Tuesday, I set up shop (or is it table?) for the first time with the "Roadshow" as they call themselves. Tuesdays there are two shows, in the mornings at Bluebeard's Beach Club, and at night at Marriott Frenchman's Reef. My husband works at the Marriott so this could work out! However, it is off season here and the Marriott show is the money show so everyone shows up and there is no more room. I opted for the morning show at the Beach Club. The sun was shining, the water was crystal blue, the ants were biting.

The hotel does a beach party on Tuesdays for guests. It includes lunch and music and us artists set up a few tables. There were only 5 of the 16 artists present. Only 12 people came to the party. I sold two things! Not to bad considering it was my first time and there were people who didn't sell anything. I am really excited! I am waiting for my tablecloth to be complete so I can do more shows. I think I will do the Beach Club and Bolongo for now. Artist belonging to the Roadshow can set up tables at Bolongo Bay's Caribbean party on Wednesday evening. They have moko jumbies, steel pan, and all sorts of cool stuff. I think, until season starts, these two are at least the most entertaining. When season rolls around, we also have shows at a few other locations on island and by then, I should have painted enough to be able to do at least four shows a week.

I'm babbling a bit, but I am really excited. I think this could really work out. Funny thing though, is I didn't even sell a bag, I sold some of my minis! The picture to the left is my hubby at the Beach Club (locals call it Lime Tree) beach two years ago. Sorry for the bad quality, it is a scan of an actual picture. You know, 35mm film? :oD Not to bad of a place to spend a few hours though. Not really work at all!

I DID IT!!!!!

I know, I shouldn't use all caps, but today I feel like I should be allowed to do so. Who made that a rule anyway? I'm really excited to say I made it into the show I wrote about a few posts back! I got the call last night. Now I really have to get to painting! This is great news for me and for some of my friends. There is no way I could produce enough on my own! I'm going to try, but I'm pretty sure I will be calling for back up! This is fantastic!

The Jury is Out...

Last night I went to apply for the Traveling Craft Show. It's a little show featuring a bunch of local artisans showing off their wares. They visit various hotels throughout each week giving people staying on island the opportunity to purchase something locally crafted and unique. I have to submit some of my wares for jury. All the artists and crafters get together and vote on whether or not I would be a valuable addition to the show.

Needles to say, I'm a bit nervous. She took a palm tree mini, an iguana bag, and a hibiscus/beach scene bag. She said she would get back to me Thursday morning. She seemed to really like my stuff and I do know some of the people in the show already so I think I stand a good chance. If I make it in, it would be a great way to get my stuff out there. They do 6 shows a week, two of which are at the Marriott so I could spend more time with the hubs! Plus, I could charge full retail. If I don't, I really have to get some more accounts. I have my fingers and toes crossed. So nervous! Wish me luck!

Success!

Two days ago, the hubs and I went around to various places to drop off and pique interest in my mini paintings and bags. Well, I had a few set aside for the Native Arts shop, but was really surprised by the reaction I got at Pirate's Chest. I was only going in to show them what I had and see if they were interested and what designs they would like. They took everything I had on me. I now have a lot of bags and minis to paint, but my black paint is being wacky! I need better black. I am so excited to be back in business!

YAY!

Getting Back Into the Groove

Since I came back to the VI, I had been in a bit of a funk. I really didn't want to do much except see my husband and sleep. I didn't get to see the hubs a whole lot because he has this issue. He's a workaholic. Not in a light sense either. He will work three 18 hour shifts in a row, read news online till 3 in the morning then go to work again at 7:45. Nuts. The vacation I took was just the thing to get me back into the swing of things.

I came back ready. Nick acquired me some studio space that I get to check out on Wednesday. I have a new account and old ones that need to be worked on as well. I have a lot to do! No more time for moping.

Yesterday, I painted. It felt fantastic. While most of the things I paint are not really my style of art, I make money producing things people buy so I am stuck painting palm trees. It doesn't bother me though, because it is still a composition. It is still making colors work. It is still putting a brush to canvas. My new account is the Pirate's Chest at Paradise Point. Since it has a piratey theme, I did tall ships, schooners, Caribbean style houses, and skulls. I loved doing the skulls. That is more me. A bit morbid and VERY sciencey. Do you see the light sourcing on those things? Super fun. The houses were fun as well because I can get really creative with them but the blocky design means I don't have to spend too much time on them. Time is important in production art because besides paying yourself a livable wage, you have to make the product affordable and still be able to buy the raw materials.

I'm going to do some bags today. Some more skulls perhaps. I have some sea critters I have to do for another shop as well. I already have a lot of different Caribbean themed designs. Those are easy! I need more pirate stuff!

What kind of pirate themed designs do you want to see?