October Winds

There are some new brightly colored leaves blowing on the horizon for this site during this awesome month of OCTOBER, my 'favoristist' month ever!

So let me start laying it out for you...WAIT FOR IT...

• HALLOWEEN DELIGHTS...I am the founder of the Black Hat Society and every year for the past 7 years my hub and I host a costume required annual Murder Mystery Dinner for All Hallows Eve...check out my hand-sculpted marzipan candied witch fingers! So get ready to see a NEW HALLOWEEN card and a line up of past favorites getting reprinted. Yikes!

• Author Interview and Podcasts!!! This month marks the release of Author, Rosie Molinary's new book Beautiful You: A Daily Guide to Radical Self- Acceptance and I have received a review copy (without payment) and been fortunate enough to land a phone interview! So as part of her blog tour I will featuring a review, the audio podcast interview, Q&A post and most likely an AWESOME giveaway all on OCTOBER 12th so be HERE!

• NEW ART! I've become a bit obsessed with working with inks lately and playing with computer manipulation so stay tuned for some of those!

• New BLOG face! I'm designing a new banner and refreshing the look of this site....woo hoo

• Introducing a new feature on BODY LOVE and being a BODY CHAMPION inspired by two my favorite blogging Latinas, Elsita from the Hidden Seed and Rosie as in the author of Hijas Americanas & Beautiful You! In fact, You can scroll down to the next post to check it out NOW.

• New sister links to this site!

I'm super excited to start posting the new entries routinely! Its going to be a busy month so check back often - and remember it might look different!

- Ciao

Chelsea Gallery Tour Part II

Baby Chick Starter kit by My Pet Chicken

Ok so- the performance that I am in is only 48 hours away! I hope I don't get stage-fright! I'm still on antibiotics, I'm lusting to get some new drawings done AND I ordered the baby chick starter kit! WOO HOO!!!

Soon I will show you the locale for the coop that I'm going to design and build so stay tuned. Tomorrow will be a full dress rehearsal and Thursday and Friday we're on. I play Betty Chumley (Doctor Chumley's wife) in Harvey (yes the same 1950 Harvey film with Jimmy Stewart).

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During the Chelsea tour I just so happened to stop in front of the Claire Oliver Gallery in which I had seen Judith Schaechter's work before and to my surprise there was a new, freshly mounted Judith Schaechter exhibit entitled Beauty and the Beef just mounted!! I hope you like my pics!

Using traditional copper foil and soldering techniques, Schaechter balances tradition and medium that harken back to the middle ages with an unmistakably contemporary style, aligned with those of underground comics and political satirists.

-The Claire Oliver Gallery

Judith Schaechter's You Are Here Stained Glass Lightbox Judith Schaechter's The Cold Genius (detail) Judith Schaechter's Widow Graphite on Paper Judith Schaechter's The Minotaur (detail) Judith Schaechter's Lockdown Stained Glass Lightbox

Chelsea Gallery Tour Part I

THANK YOU all for my get well wishes! I'm anxious to de-throne the bronchitis and get back to my art-full life, so lets get started!

We took a group of our seniors on a Chelsea gallery tour as we do every year. However this trip was an exceptional one for me, some of my favorite artists were on exhibit and some new ones (at least for me) that I am so excited to introduce you all to in the next few posts.

One of my all-time favorite painters for the last five years, Mark Ryden is currently having an exhibit in the Paul Kasmin, Chelsea NY gallery, entitled The Gay 90's: Olde Tyme Art Show.

The gallery is on 293 Tenth Avenue and the show is on exhibit from April 29 to June 5, 2010.

The central theme of The Gay 90s: Old Tyme Art Show references the idealism of the 1890s while addressing the role of kitsch and nostalgia in our current culture.

Josephine, 2010, graphite on paper with watercolor washes

This will be Ryden's first significant solo show in New York since 2003, as well as his first with the gallery. In his hauntingly beautiful and masterfully executed oil paintings, Ryden creates his own contemporary mythologies whose archetypes include fairy tale creatures, historical figures, and pop cultural icons. Seamlessly juxtaposing macabre motifs like meat grinders and disembodied presidents with eye-pleasing ingénues and seductive landscapes, the artist produces a vision of society in which menace and comfort are inseparably interwoven. These labor-intensive canvasses deftly rework centuries of art history, combining the grandeur of Spanish and Italian religious painting with the decorative richness of Old Master compositions and the lush textures of French Neo-Classicism.

-Paul Kasmin Gallery

The Grinder (#95) study/drawing, 2010The Grinder (#95), 2010 "Virgin and Child" (#93), 2010 oil on canvas drawing study for the Incarnation (#100), 2009 Incarnation (#100), 2009 Incarnation (#100), 2009

-Ciao Amarettogirl

New Music Find & A Day in My Life

Water and Weed Wednesday was a washout today because of our cold front, gray clouds and perpetual rain.

I've finally determined the perfect spot to build the coop on and can't wait to show the space, but I'll do that on a clear day.

While over at my friend Sal's blog LOVE QUIRKY I discovered some new music. I have picky music tastes so when I find music I like its always love a good thing, but to top it off, the video that acccompanies the song is visually stunning! It was done in a cool bluish palette with dark somber and simple forms that are just beautiful. There are some art historical references in it too, like a Dutch master-inspired still life.

Though the video is a bit conceptual, I still think it's really sequential and fascinating all the while. My favorite visuals are the german shepherd and the floating house slowly eroding and decomposing. I hope you all enjoy it as much as Sal and I did!

The song is called "What else is there?" by Royksopp featuring Karin Dreijer Andersson of 'The Knife' an electro pop duo from Sweden (thanks Sal!)

Oh BTW, click off that ad on the bottom right as soon as the video starts so that it doesn't distract your experience!

A Day in My Life

On my long, traffic-filled drive home from work today, I realized my days may seem average and 'normal' to me, but really are a bit out of the oridinary to others.

And since I have yet to start tweeting, I thought I might share a 5 point bullet synopsis of my day with you all.

a soldering gun

• met with my personal advisees and discussed their concerns which at this moment are prom and dj related

• downloaded the murder mystery game materials for the senior student workshop/selective I'm teaching/hosting next week- got the sign up sheet and began assigning character roles to each student

• Taught sculpture class and assisted my students to cut glass, wrap copper tape and solder with smokin'hot soldering guns. I did this all while keeping them excited despite the lack-of-instant-gratification they're experiencing (unlike the rest of their lives). They're making three-dimensional cold-connection, Stained glass sculptures.

• have a one hour lunch meeting (not usual) with a prospective new administrative leader asking pertinent and viable questions about arts and, in and with education

• teach a graphic design course in which I introduce the interior design catalog project and motivate students to finish their business card assignment

Sass Up For Summer!

Well its getting warm out here and that means some great opportunities to be outside are beginning to abound.

Get ready to take great pics this summer with new blogger Amy from Lemon & Raspberry and her FREE e-book on three simple ways to improve your photography.

I LOVE this PDF! It's quick to download, clear, concise, witty and is structured in a well-organized teaching style. Best of all- its completely FREE!

But like all good blog visitors, if you download Lemon & Raspberry's PDF why don't you consider leaving her a comment and letting her know Amarettogirl sent you:) I get nothing out of it other than the joy supporting and sharing GOOD, accessible information with you all!

Heather Ross fabric still sold in fat quarters only by Blije Olifantje

When I think of summer, one of the many things that come to mind are bodies of water...and they in turn make me think of mermaids...which these days make me think of Heather Ross and her now hard-to-get- mermaid fabric! Heather Ross designed this line with Free Spirit and now it is discontinued... so sad when good things come to an end! She is a wonderful artist (with a fun illustration portfolio) and it has been such a great joy to find her blog!

heather ross fabrics

So my plan to sass up for summer...use some Heather Ross fabric to make this awesome skirt: Beautiful Summer Skirt PDF tutorial for $9. by Hyperart

So how DO YOU SASS UP FOR SUMMER?

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Mystery Project Revealed!

Remember this:

Well its been a few days now and finally all you clever readers started to get it right!

A very good friend of mine, Linda Gargano of Fruition Dolls & Gifts gave me a sewing kit for Christmas. Inside of the kit were all sorts of surprises including button earrings and a paper pattern and instructions from Quilt Plus an online fabric shop that sells DIY sewing patterns.

The pattern was for a project that I was concerned would be too small for my liking so I had to modify it- For example, instead of the prescribed 22 squares of fabric I used 34, which gave me a chance to add some of my preferred fabrics like Heather Ross mermaids and tattoo- inspired fabric.

An inside pocket I made for my mystery project

I'm an autodidact person and a visual learner, so even the best laid out instructions can stifle me. I usually struggle with and dismiss any patterns - instead I simply have to hold, see and analyze something to figure it out for myself.

I had to sew all the squares together, make a lining with an inside pocket, FOLD it in half and start to sew it together. Inner Liningfolded and inside out before sewing together

Well I'm sure you can start to see it all come together, readers had some really creative ideas. Some of you thought it was a picnic blanket, dooms day device and others a quilt (since quilt techniques are employed).

Quilt Plus has such a great design of how to engineer the pattern of squares into a three dimensional form that I thought it was truly brilliant even with my modification! So HANG ON...

WAIT FOR IT....drumroll please....IT's A HOBO BAG!! Hobo Bag modified pattern by QuiltPlus made by m. diaz HobobagfrontHobobag backpeek inside of the hobobag by m.diaz

I finally finished...uh, hmm well close enough...I still have to buy the leather handles (which QuiltPlus sells!)

I'm so excited about the bag and I think it will look GREAT with jeans!

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Two New Inspiring Art Books

Hunt & Gather by Tina Ziegler NYCI bought these two books, Hunt & Gather and Illustration Now! Vol.3 as Birthday gifts for my hub and we LOVE them! They are VERY inspiring.

One thing I like to tell my students and remind myself of, is that we don't live in bubble. It is so great, if you are able, to go to galleries, contemporary museums and see publications of what is currently happening in the art world and have your pulse on what your contemporaries are toiling with.

I often think that (unless you live in Brooklyn) or other up and coming 'art' communities many of us creatives today live the opposite of Monet's Giverny, isolated.

Not really by Monet's choice, Giverny turned into thriving artist colony where writers, dancers, painters and creatives of the time collected to live, breathe and make around eachother. These two books help me feel connected and a part of something bigger in the art world that is still breathing and living.

Jason Jackeno featured in Hunt & Gather Tina Ziegler

This book has a beautiful coffee-table spread of images of new contemporary artists that work in a variety of styles.

This striking collection of surrealism, pop art, illustration, collage, graphic design and mixed media represents many of today's most boundary-pushing artists. Aspects of this collection are dark, at times macabre, but these images are complemented by arrestingly playful pieces, and accompanied by first-person texts that shed light on how and why these individuals make their art.

- from Hunt & Gather website Illustration Now!3 Ed Julius Wiedemann

Illustration Now! 3 is another great book. I love to see illustration work because it is my first love. I have affairs with glass, but illustration is my life mate.

From magazines and newspapers to ads, websites, album covers, and even mobile phone wallpaper, illustration is a crucial element in visual communication today. With unlimited creative possibilities, illustration is as unbound as imagination itself; whether it's a simple pencil drawing, an ornate airbrushed painting, or a computer-generated image, an illustration speaks the international language of ideas.

- from Illustration Now!3 website Christina Drejenstam in Illustration Now!3

Well, the Driftwear Giveaway is still on.

I'm so excited that I am slowly, but surely, fixing up this site. I just updated the Glass Art portfolio!! I'm still not finished, check it out here and let me know what you think!

- Ciao Amarettogirl

Fun News and New Giveaway to celebrate Driftwear!

My new 'Rettogirl' blog widget is finally UP and grab-able! So if you have a blog, feel free to grab the code (just copy and paste it into your sidebar) and place little 'ol Rettogirl on your page! Now that I know how to do this, I'm looking forward to making new widgets!

Widgets can be kind of tricky (especially if coding is not your forte) so I'm pretty proud.

As for memorizing my lines - thanks for all the stress-free suggestions. I found a FANTASTIC Iphone app called Mentalcase and an online study program that exchanges with mentalcase called Flashcard Exchange. I've been able to first study my cards on the phone then record audio with each of the lines and play it like a slide show, so all I have to do is listen and repeat while I drive - it's brilliant and I've already memorized many of my lines! Isabella Whitney at work making hand pulled silkscreened Driftwear t-shirts

Now on to some fun stuff!

As promised a NEW GIVEAWAY is in the works to celebrate the APRIL 19th LAUNCH of Driftwear!

Isabella has graciously donated a white Bear t-shirt ($25 us dollar value) in the winner's size choice of S,M,L,XL male or female. These shirts are 100% organic cotton made in America by American Apparel. And as a SPECIAL treat in addition to the typical black Isabella is offering the white t-shirt with a limited edition color print of the bear in red, blue or green to one of my readers!

Driftwear BEAR design by Isabella Whitney

Here are the conditions:

• Open to anyone anywhere

• become a fan of Driftwear on Facebook and leave a comment!

• Go to the Birth of Driftwear blog and comment on some posts especially the NAME THE BEAR post!

• Come back here and leave a comment letting us know WHY oh why you need to win a Driftwear Bear shirt!

• A winner will be chosen on the April 19th to celebrate the official launch of Driftwear! A check of all requirements will be made and a random digital number widget will be used to generate a winner. On the 19th at 10pm (the opening time of the Esty Driftwear shop) a winner will be announced here!

The Driftwear Bear shirt designed by Isabella Whitney

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Update on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 07:17PM by Amarettogirl

REMINDER - This is a three-comment requirement giveaway:

1. Facebook Driftwear Fanpage become a fan + comment,
2. Driftwear blog + comment,
3.This blog post+comment

This Giveaway is a promotional tool for Driftwear and you must GO TO: THE BIRTH OF DRIFTWEAR Blog and leave SOME comments on posts especially the 'Name The Bear Post'in order to be qualified to win!!!

Hipstamatic

While over visiting Redstarink's blog and having some Easter Morn mimosa's with her yesterday, I was introduced to 21stcentury Hipstamatic images.

The Hipstamatic camera is a plastic toy camera produced during 1982-1984 by Bruce and Winston Dorbowski,two brothers that remind me of the clever entrepreneuring bros Fred and George Weasley of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

Well leave it to Iphone application designers to come up with an app that for me takes the cake on the best app totally worth the $1.99! The app comes with different lenses, film and even flashes like one called lemon pop!

The app website is wonderful too and they even host a monthly contest show in which you can win a $100 Itunes gift card! I think I want to enter but I might need your help on choosing which images fit the theme the best.

But for now here are my first test runs with my new Hipstamatic camera on the Iphone and glimpses of my Easter Sunday!

My first Hipstamatic photo by m. diaz

My baby Chica Hipstamatic photo by m.diaz

Spring has started photo by m.diaz

Happy Easter! And Another Special Delivery!

Easter Basket GIVEAWAY

Today will will be the end of our exchange via an Easter tradition that used to light up our days as little children, THE EASTER BASKET!
I did this giveaway in lieu of paying for advertising and in order to get to know my readers better, so your thoughtful comments were an essential entry rule.

How it will work:

• Comment for this post today with a NUMBER that you choose between 0-75 BEFORE Eastern Standard Time 9pm (and remember if you see someone else has chosen your number in the comments of this post - you should CHANGE your number becuase that number has laready been claimed).
• Check that you thoughtfully commented on every other post since the GIVEAWAY began and/or
• If you have a BLOG or WEBSITE link back to this GIVEAWAY with a post about it that you share a link to with me
• Be a follower of this blog
• Check BACK after EST 9pm to see WHO chose the WInning NUmber and wish them well!
• GOOD LUCK!

Now on to today's business - I received MY FIRST pen pal RESPONSE!!

My Unopened Package from Redstarink fresh from the mailbox

My Pen pal RedStarInk, who I am now a lifelong fan of, sent me a response to my cupcake illustrated letter.

At first I saw only the word 'Girl' through the tissue paper and I knew that Marcie of Redstarink had made a clever choice of a word for me. However I then peeled away the tissue paper to see just how brilliantly thoughtful that gift was.

All of my paper products are handmade. I design, print, and assemble each product myself. I strive to be as eco-friendly as possible, using recycled papers and packaging. I try to create my products in sizes that result in no wasted paper. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me. I enjoy meeting fellow Etsy artists and buyers.

-Redstarink's Etsy Shop

Marcie (of Redstarink) is a graphic designer with an indie printing business that produces functional work that has respect for typography, impeccable, clean, bold lines and a sharp aesthetic. If you ever need any functional paper products you know who to go to - she is fantastic- just look at this:

The opened package Marcie of RedstarInk at Work My gift wrapped in tissue paperMy beautiful Amarettogirl notebook by Redstarink

Update on Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 05:08PM by Amarettogirl

As of 9pm Eastern Standard Time the following numbers have been CLAIMED for the 9pm giveaway AND COMMENTING HAS BEEN DISABLED:

Lillian from Brazil- 8, Isabella-15,Hannah-12, BlueeyedNIghtowl-18, Salmezan-58, Colin-31, Patricia-22, Heidi- 14, Rina-27, Li Lian-24, Tital-64, Rena 33, Tai-23, Andrea-16, Lindz- 47 I will now go videotape a spinning of the bingo cage - It will take me some time to Post the video so that you can all see the WINNER!

Good luck!