Where Have I Been Lately?

You know... I'm not really sure where I've been lately. Off in Dream-land somewhere, I guess. Doesn't that sound like a nice place to live? And if the town colors were aquamarine and magenta like this old, faded sign at Coney Island boardwalk, well... I think I could live there forever.

In actuality, I've been crunching numbers while I review my first full year as an independent art business and, well... the picture's not a pretty one. Seems there's only so much one person can make in a year... and all that stuff doesn't add up to enough. But, I've been dreaming up some newer, bigger ideas in hopes that I can continue to make art my business. So it's back to Dream-land for me... just for a little while.

Sweet dreams xoxo

Thoughtful Thursdays: A Cup of Tea?

One of my favorite rides as a youngster was the teacup ride. I loved to grab that center wheel and spin it as fast as I could. Standing in line, I would even wipe my tiny hands on my clothes several times... so they'd be nice and dry for the perfect grip! My main goal was to spin out of control, as fast as I could... walking off all dizzy and disoriented. Hmmm... that sounds an awful lot like some parties in my college and young adult years. Could this ride be considered underage drinking? Okay... back to my point... that is if there was a point. Ummm... errr... uhhhh... oh yeah...

Spinning out of control!

How many of you out there feel that life is just passing by way too fast? I know I do. Sheesh... it was just "Happy New Year!" and now it's almost the end of January. And as much as I loved spinning out of control as a child, it doesn't really have the appeal it once did now that I am an adult. So let's just take a deep breath here (go ahead... 4 counts in.... 4 counts out) and relax for a moment.

Grab a cup of tea or your favorite beverage and just love every minute of the preparation. Don't just think of it as a means to an end.... enjoy the whole process. Gathering your supplies. Grabbing your favorite mug. Collecting all the ingredients, utensils, appliances and such. Watch that water boil. It won't take long, but it will feel like an eternity. Pour your beverage. Then sit down somewhere nice and comfy and sip....

Slowly.

Lettering On Fabric...

So maybe you've always wanted to paint some nifty lettering on a fabric project, but you're not so good with drawing. Well, guess what... me neither!

I know what you're saying, "But, Michelle, there's no way I can draw out the letters I want... they're all wonky and misshapen... and they end up all crooked and stuff!"

Well, let me show you a little secret. I call it my Instant Lightbox. It's absolutely free, it's super simple, and you can use this technique for lettering, or any other piece of artwork you'd like to "transfer" onto fabric.

Print out your text (or image) onto regular copy paper. My image was a little longer than a letter size sheet, so I pieced it together. Tape your artwork onto a window with lots of sunlight coming through. Then you can tape your piece of fabric over top of your artwork, trace the image with a pencil, and voilà... you're ready to paint!

A professional-looking, hand-painted fabric masterpiece. And no drawing ability needed!

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: Palace Bumper Cars

If you haven't already guessed, Asbury Park is one of my favorite places to take black and white photos. And one of my favorite subjects has always been the Palace Amusements building. Since torn down, the peeling, seafoam green walls will live on forever in my memory. Along with the retro artwork that decorated each side of the building...

Spinning, Spinning, Spinning...Oh So Dizzy...

My life these last few weeks has been a real Tilt-A-Whirl ride! Up and down and spinning out of control 'til you think you can't take one more second! But then it's over... you're walking off all drunk-like... staggering and laughing. And then you think... hey, maybe one more time...

Hey, you gotta give me credit for finding a pink Tilt-A-Whirl? Cool!