Tag: art

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FLORENCE, FIONA, AND I MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON

This post is going to be a bit self-indulgent and rather obnoxious, I fear. But, I’m trying my best to just feel better about things. And it’s a full moon right now, so my emotions and thoughts are super intense at this current time. Anyway, as I was feeling sorry for myself about my plight (perpetual singleness at age 42), something occurred to me. And I thought about how if I was happy in a relationship, I probably wouldn’t have as much to share on my blog. Or with others in general. Because when I’m tortured, I’m constantly learning. And constantly creating. So, just like Florence Welch and Fiona Apple, two of the most romantically angsty musical artists I know, perhaps my pains are not in vain. Continue reading FLORENCE, FIONA, AND I MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON

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I WILL NEVER REALLY KNOW MY MOTHER, BUT I’LL TELL YOU WHAT I DO KNOW

At the suggestion of my blogging bestie, Moksha of The Happy Panda, I’m going to attempt to begin a series of mother-related posts. My mother was a fascinating character, and I agree that her life story is one worth sharing. I will try to keep this relatively chronological. However, her life was quite chaotic. And my perception of her and her life was and is equally quite splotchy. Also, this is a person’s life. It’s their work of art, and this can never be comprehensively scoped. Especially because my mother is no longer here to fill in the blanks. But, I will do my best. Continue reading I WILL NEVER REALLY KNOW MY MOTHER, BUT I’LL TELL YOU WHAT I DO KNOW

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PINTEREST IS A TERRIFIC BLOG MARKETING TOOL

I’m writing this blog post, not necessarily because I’m a blogging expert. But more because I have many blogging friends who have WAY more followers than I do. And yet they don’t use Pinterest as a blog marketing tool. And for my blogger friends who have a larger following, I know many of them would like to not only keep, but continue to grow their following. So, I thought I would share my experience with using Pinterest thus far, in the hopes that it inspires my fellow bloggers. It’s also one of the more fun blog marketing tools out there, so why not?! Continue reading PINTEREST IS A TERRIFIC BLOG MARKETING TOOL

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MAKING BEAUTIFUL ART ABOUT GRIEF AND LOSS IS REALLY HELPING

Loss is loss, and it doesn’t exactly matter what form it takes. And even though I’m surviving the loss of my romantic relationship, one month after he broke up with me, I’m still grieving hard core. And for whatever reason, I have been finding that making beautiful art about the death of my mother is really helping. Perhaps the sadness I’m feeling about losing my ex is bringing up unchecked emotions about the loss of my mother. Or, perhaps I just need a new way to grieve the loss of Mike, and making sad art about my mother is helping move those emotions along. Continue reading MAKING BEAUTIFUL ART ABOUT GRIEF AND LOSS IS REALLY HELPING

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LETTING GO OF PERFECTIONISM AS I FOCUS ON PROLIFIC ART-MAKING

Gosh, asking a Virgo to try letting go of perfectionism, is like asking a bee to stop making honey. It’s just what we do. And for the most part, even though it sounds like a curse, to live under the pressure of perfectionism, most Virgos prefer it. I think our perfectionism can be tied to our self-worth sometimes, unfortunately. And that’s never healthy. But honestly, it’s like we have an internal, built-in drive to just organize and arrange the world in a better way than it already is. It’s very satisfying to do this, actually. And man, do we have our work cut out for us! There are always projects, and tasks, and people to “fix”! And of course, there is also always beautiful art to be made. Continue reading LETTING GO OF PERFECTIONISM AS I FOCUS ON PROLIFIC ART-MAKING

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MY SCINTILLATING REVIEW OF THE ANNUAL PMA CRAFT SHOW

Ever since I was in art school (1998-2002), at the University of Arts in Philadelphia, I have loved attending this show. The Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show is at the Pennsylvania Convention Center every year. And this 2021 exhibition showcased 170 artists from all over the world. Every year that I attend this show, I leave with newfound inspiration. And lots of new amazing artists to follow on Instagram! Continue reading MY SCINTILLATING REVIEW OF THE ANNUAL PMA CRAFT SHOW

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MIXED MEDIA ART FOR THE EYES AND THE SOUL

In this episode, I fangirl over Deborah Roberts, mixed media artist living and working in Houston, Texas. This is not an interview with Deborah. But instead, I give a heartfelt goddess shoutout. And I share details about her work, and why she inspires me enough to devote an entire podcast episode to her! Continue reading MIXED MEDIA ART FOR THE EYES AND THE SOUL

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5 REASONS TO KEEP CREATING, EVEN IF NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE

was taking my daily nature walk the other day, feeling hopeless about my contribution to the world. Thinking about all of my creative projects, I was getting caught up, focusing on all of the people who DON’T pay attention to me. And then Mama Nature, as she often does, gently graced me with her clarity and nurturing love in my moment of sadness. And the idea that both you and I should keep creating, even if no one seems to care, became so apparent. Creative expression is such a powerful, human tool. We can all access it, and we can all benefit from it. And just because you THINK no one seems to care, is no reason to stop. The flow must continue, regardless of external validations, or lack thereof. And here are five reasons why. Continue reading 5 REASONS TO KEEP CREATING, EVEN IF NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE

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TWIN SISTERS MAKING ART IN THEIR OWN WAYS

I never really thought of my twin sister as an artist. I was the artsy one and she was the book worm. She was always, always, always reading. And I was always, always, always making art. When we branched off to college, she received her degree in journalism, and I in photography. And only in recent years have I had the pleasure of seeing the authentically creative side of her. Turns out, she’s been collaging longer than I have! And it also turns out that she writes poetry on a regular basis. Good poetry! She just never really shows anyone or shares her work. And as we grow older and come to know each other even more deeply, I so enjoy the opportunity for us to discuss and share our art with each other. Continue reading TWIN SISTERS MAKING ART IN THEIR OWN WAYS

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CATCHING UP 20 YEARS LATER WITH MY COLLEGE ROOMMATE

I don’t often keep in touch with people I went to school with. My friends were few and far between in high school. And in college, I really only connected with a rare few, even though I desperately tried to find like-minded souls during that time. And although my college roommate and I had very little in common, and did not hang in the same circles, we still kinda dug each other. We most likely never would have been friends if we weren’t randomly assigned to live with each other freshman year. And when you live with someone, if all goes well, it’s easy to form a bond that can last well after you have both moved on. This POD-BLOG* article, and this week’s podcast episode, revolves around my catching up 20 years later with my college roommate, Molly McIntyre. Continue reading CATCHING UP 20 YEARS LATER WITH MY COLLEGE ROOMMATE