Gingersnap

Last post of 2011: the year of a lot of reflection, personal growth in life and creative spirit, and a new found peace that I never expected. Well, here are seven best things that have helped shape me along the way. #7 Best Album An exclusive from my Starbucks obsession (see #4), Feist's new album was highly anticipated, especially with the first track, "Bittersweet Melodies" on repeat in my head. My leading Canadian lady didn't disappoint. Beautifully composed songs and signature poignant lyrics on folk beats make Feist's fourth studio album a blissful treat for the ears and tender heart. Standout cuts include the soft, melodic poetry of "Caught A Long Wind," the swingy uptempo, "The Bad In Each Other," and the smooth, laid back, "How Come We Don't Go There." The added choir background vocals in "Undiscovered First" and "Graveyard" are also quite compelling to note. #6 Best Dayton Art Museum 2011 wa...

(Miami Valley Regional Transit Authority Trolley Circa 1996) As a kid, I loved riding the yellow bus. No. Not the school bus. The Dayton RTA trolley. Is it was always an adventure, especially around the holidays when Santa sat in the back seat handing out candy canes to eager children. Those days are long past. As well as the original trolley design. People frown heavily on public transportation- saying that it’s the poor man’s ride and that things are better efficient with a car! While there are pros and cons of every way of transport, I will always enjoy a good bus ride. With new environmentally friendly buses (they have trolley hybrids now!) and a cost effective way of saving money, buses, trains, and subways are certainly wonderful way to travel. Sometimes they can be late. At times very early. But I truly love buses and appreciate the people driving them. I especially enjoy long journeys and going the distance on buses I’ve never boarded. That of which I can do more of since recei...

Went strolling through the Fairfield Commons Mall searching for the perfect gifts for Mom and brothers. Fruitless and empty handed, I ventured into two of my favorite shops, Nirvana and SHE Fashions (formerly Sleepy Hollow) looking for bargain deals. Of course, I knew that there would be more "presents" for me here and not my family. Still, nothing wrong with harmless window shopping! Belly Dancing wear on sale! Sweet! Ummm yeah. Could totally see Mom and brothers enjoying these things. Nothing in my color spectrum unfortunately- only purples or darker blues for me! Not that I planned on making purchases for myself. But can't help imagining how amazing at home belly dance training would be if I wore something similar to what the other Shimmy ladies are wearing! Bob Marley! Yay! Except Mom isn't necessarily big on reggae and my brothers probably aren't interested in a dread locked Rastafarian rapping about peace and love. Though one brother might love the "gre...

I walked into Dayton Technology School on First Street downtown to take photos of the old work that was still displayed there. Students were nice to say that I didn't look my age, (17 really? C'mon now!) but the snorting at the "valley girl accent" will never end. Alas, I no longer care anymore. I sound how I sound and that won't ever change. Anyway, back to the art. These twelve pieces need to be taken home very, very soon. But one can't haul large pieces of work to and fro on these hour long journeys... "The Darkest Tree in the Neighborhood," 18" x 24," acrylic, oil pastels, Mod Podge, and deco markers on canvas, 2006. Long ago, I had an obsession with language and writing on paintings. Stemming from a maddening desire to weave my loves together, this was just another attempt. A dominating headless figure over a sideways landscape. The repetitive statement, "I am the darkest tree in the neighborhood" is in an abstract tree form ...

He aggravated me in the mornings whistling for outdoor freedom. Awaiting the tiniest bit of scrappy crumbs, he impolitely stared hard as I ate anything. Even foods that wouldn't interest him like chocolate, fruits, and vegetables. Only once had I seen him ever consume an orange carrot. He strangely howled along with the ambulance trucks, gnawed nosily at the fleas on his back and tail, and at times he barked for no reason at all. But he was a very good buddy. The friendliest, most sweetest, most lovable pal anyone could ask for, especially from a woman who feared dogs her entire life. When I first met Meano, a huge, gorgeous, mixed breed dog, six years ago, I pleaded for him to be put outside every time I came over. Gradually, after a few hesitant pets on the head and the occasional lap humping that male dogs love to do, we became good friends. In the vast, opened backyard where the big protector roamed free with lively, exuberant energy, I would watch him growl and chase strangers...

Besides Christmas cards and rubber duck fashion design, I've been exploring a new arena. Ever since I got my results back from 23andme.com and Dr. McDonald, I've been trying to figure out how to create a body of work. Can one make art from being identified as 87.8% African and 12.2% European? Sure. Art is so universal that anything can be! I love the face. The many emotions, the movements, the features. A billion adjectives can describe how much I enjoy creating art about the face! So in combining the research and facial enthusiasm, abstracted portraiture seemed to be my answer. For this upcoming project. The shape of Africa is in various crevices of the human face. The lips are my favorite- I enjoy creating the mouth- its variations of reds, pinks, browns, and purples. It's a feature that seems to stand out the most in my portraits. This isn't any different. The eyes are closed, lashes peering down at that strangely shaped sideways, African continental lips- perhaps a ...