Ho HUM

sad m.diaz

Remember that Easter Basket Giveaway of an estimated $75 internet value that I simply wanted to give away?

Well, I was very proud of that Giveaway and so happy my penpal at the time Salmezan from LoveQuirky won it fair and square.

However, I shipped it out to England on the 10th of April and it cost me $40 whopping bucks to send... I feverishly checked Sal's blog hoping she got the package. Then because of the halt on flights due to volcanic ash it sat somewhere in the world of undelivered mail.

Now on May 5th it finally is deliverable and its being held up in customs somewhere and their asking for another $16. and change!!! What is wrong with this world when free gift can't even be free??

THe undelivered Basket

Its been a tough- super BUSY week of managing the Advanced Placement Studio Art test (tomorrow is Dday), completing freelance plaques for the school and supporting my students through their days, as well as teaching.

I'm exhausted and just as I was hoping to get some good news I learned this.

Well I think its fine time for a good 'ol fashion black & white movie, some ice cream and some dog face-licking!

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Update on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 07:54PM by Amarettogirl

It arrived, It arrived!! Don't much more than that right now - hopefully Sal LoveQuirky will post about it soon!

Back to Basics...

It is such a good feeling when an all-consuming project/obligation and ultimately accomplishment, is over.

Now I can get back to the basics...the little things you do just for the sake of doing them.

For me, that's much more than my full-time teaching, its rolling around with the pups, starting our summer garden, working on the Indie BIZ, reading up on raising chickens (my summer project), sewing, crafting, blogging and maybe, just maybe, learning how to make french macaroons...finally! I also have a little role in a dinner theater production this Spring- anybody know any good memorization apps?

digital manipulation of a glass sketch by marisol diaz

In the end it's like having a whole field of possiblities open wide in front of you. Still, the key to wonderful and productive next 6 months will be to have as little self-imposed stress which means avoiding projects with hard-pressed deadlines- those just kill me! Though judging by responses to this last exhibit, putting me under pressure cooker settings can actually produce fantastic results.

I'm pretty bad at avoiding such opportunities so a major goal will be to STAY STRESS FREE.

BTW, I recv'd two more penpal letters Yay!! and some super cute, made-with-love notes.

Still working on that new giveaway for you all...and I'm wondering - even doing something you love for a mandated date can turn it into 'work' - So how do you stay STRESS FREE??

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Two days left before my opening....

flyer click to see

There are now only two days left before my opening. I have to go buy frames today (I still need around 7 more) and as many artists know, financially frames begin to add up, costing a pretty penny.

I'm also beginning to work on the artist statement for the show. In the past my threads of work are often developed by a concept, quote or self-definitory aspect of my belief system.

However this time my work was really inspired by an image. I have a small collection of antique books and while perusing one of them, I came across this image that really moved me. It's entitled Gladiator Fighting a Lion and its a sketch of a marble sculpture found in BAVARIA with no artist attributed to the drawing. The title means little to me - its the image itself that really moves me.

I thought I'd share that image with you today.

I'm not too affected by the gladiator aspect of this image as I am the continuos futile struggle with the natuarlistic/animalistic part of who we are. And I'm curious - What does this image make you think of?-

Ciao Amarettogirl

P.S. I've been chatting with a special indie business owner about a possible giveaway that is good for Gals AND Guys! Coming soon so stay TUNED!.

Today is My Hub Gregg Emery's B'day so...

I just wanted to take a moment out to celebrate him. He has been my BFF, my shopping mate, my personal chef, fellow artist, constructive critiquer and great love everyday for the past 6 years. So what better birthday card than a blog post!

People always ask me 'HOW do you get everything you do done?' I usually answer with a cheeky 'no kids' response - but the truth is, Gregg Emery.

If it weren't for my hub, I wouldn't have had the space, time, support or confidence to get done a lot of what I do. I'm not saying I wouldn't be awesome if I wasn't married (cuz I think I'd be just as ;9) but I have to admit he is the Greek architecture and column of my every days.

Gregg makes the best strawberry frozen smoothies on a hot day. He loves his two fur kids to death! He is a wonderful artist that inspires me daily, from technique, process and knowledge. He is without a joke the BEST art history teacher I have ever seen making contemporary connections, motivating and gaining interest from many a distracted student. He is a phenomenal cook able to make Gourmet out of nothing, a loyal friend, the hostess with the mostess. Possibly the most selfless, generous person that I know. I've never seen a dean that students love more. At times he is my sole blog comment. His paintings have the power to help us all feel centered and at peace with this crazy world. Today I am happy to say I thank whatever makes things work in this world, for him being born. He is coming across sounding too good to be true...and perhaps we all have our 'things' but on many a day I do believe HE IS too good to be true.

Gregg at his Solo exhibit at Azucarera this past summerRed Dwarf by Gregg Emery

********I have written about my awesome hub and his drawings and paintings on older blog posts. To see the article of his most recent solo exhibit click here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY! -Ciao Amarettogirl

I WON!

I can't believe I won a GIVEAWAY Too! I know many of us like to go around saying that we never win anything, but seriously people the last thing I won was 10 years ago in Coney Island with one eye intensely focused on a scary clown's open mouth while I aimed and shot a stream of water from a pistol straight into it. The secret - strategy and a low number of competitors.

Actually come to think of it, I did get a stuffed pink animal from the claw machine two weeks ago with my mom (she's addicted to claw machines) but that doesn't count since the machine lets you play UNTIL you win.

But I digress, I won! And I did so on a day that I couldn't have been more tired, down and out, and just flat sad. Laura Belle is a full-time designer and maker from Minnesota. Her blog and shop is called OH HI! and she recently had a birthday giveaway- I had to write about my fave birthday gift. YAY! You can see that post here. The handmade piece I won from Laura Belle of OhHishop phot courtesy of OhHI!!

Next post I'll be showing you the flyer to this weekend's gallery opening, I ended up having too little funds to order a postcard this time around, and so I had to resort to making a flyer (old school).

- Ciao Amarettogirl

Bear in The Yard...Again

Spring has officially begun when the bears come out in our neighborhood.

Bear in the Yard! First of the Spring photo by m.diaz Oh oh its getting closer! photo by g. emery Woa! I think it Likes me! photo by g. emery See ya or So I thought...photo by g. emery

My hub thought the bear was gone as it walked behind the shed but when he peaked around the shed he was greeted by a big, fat, furry head and well lets just say there are no pics of that!! LOL!! We had to run over to the neighbors and start yelling 'BEAR' as they had small children outside playing. I love seeing these gentle giants up close but I fear and respect them too.

I worked tirelessly all last night and this morning on updating my website so that small prints of my art can be bought through my site. Hopefully I'll be posting about that soon (still not done)!

Ok folks, the GIVEAWAY will be in two days and your odds of winning have increased as those who couldn't comment on every post have fallen by the wayside! On April 4th hub and I will roll the bingo cage - YOU must comment on April 4th to the most recent post with a NUMBER between 1 - 75 (that's how high the bingo balls go!) The winner will be posted on April 5th!! It could be you! - Remember you won't be able to claim the prize if I have no EMAIL for you.

A Bear sighting is the mark of Spring for us... What's the personal mark of Spring's arrival in your case??

-Ciao Amarettogirl

My Polyvore Gray Day

Unfortunately, I am now sick (and over my spring break vaca no less). Thankfully, I'm working with watercolors, and not oil paints, (which makes painting much more difficult when I'm sick) for my up and coming art exhibit. I'm able to get some work done in small bouts of energy. Still, I've had to be in bed and watch reruns of the wedding singer to comfort me, but I'm worried about how I'm going to get everything I need for the exhibit done. I have so much in my mind that I want to do and such little energy and time to do it. -_-

I thought for today's blog post I would fantasize about what I would wear if I could get up and be a fly girl today (which I have aptly named my Gray day) who knows it might actually motivate me!
And for those of you who have yet to be entranced by Polyvore you really need to try this digital collage mecca for your style dreams, fantasies, wish list and flat out designer fun like some of my fellow bloggers do! Often there are even creative challenge questions posted to help you start.

Polyvore is very addictive!

Amarettogirl's Gray Day by Amarettogirl featuring Stella McCartney bags

Those boots are So SO me, wish I owned them- in fact I do own Fornarina knee high boots that remind me of these!

Well next post I will be back with some new work that is coming along for the Azucarera gallery so stay tuned.

So tell me what motivates YOU on a GRAY day??

- Ciao Amaretttogirl

Special Delivery!

Woo Hoo! Don't you love getting special envelopes in the mail?? Yesterday, I received my eagerly awaited package from Etsy seller and illustrator Hidden Eloise!! I purchased some wares and am dying to get them framed and hung up in my home. This was coming from London, so I waited in anticipation. Being an artist, I have to really love it to want to collect it and I do! Since it was packaged SO SO lovely I wanted to share it with all of you!

My package from Artist/Illustrator and Etsy Seller Hidden Eloise

For those who know me and my art (especially my animal headed humans), for the past two years I've been grappling with my relationship to the land and my dichotomous animal nature. In addition, I just happen to live in bear country (see them all the time now) so when I came across Hidden Eloise's work I kind of fell in love! I got a twofer giclee print, a pocket mirror, a button, some stickers and a card with a 'lovely' note!

All the awesome stuff by Hidden Eloise in that little envelope!

Hope you liked this as much as I did and...
TELL me in this digi age of communication what was the last WONDERFUl thing you unearthed from the mailbox??

GIVEAWAY is still going strong, You can still enter and April 4th is getting closer!!!

Ciao- Amarettogirl

Illustrations for Two More Pen Pals and Indie shop Owners!

Ok so hopefully I could get back to doing some artwork for the exhibit coming up and stop being distracted by the urge to draw for my pen pals since these are the last two on my list!

Just call me the 'Queen of Procrastination' (though wouldn't it be cool to have a whole solo show on pen pal illustrations tee-hee) just kidding. Seriously I have to get serious...but for now here is some fun stuff.Little Illo for my penpal Marcie owner of Redstarink by m.diaz

First we have Marcie who owns a wonderful paper printing co. named REDSTARINK which you must see! My typography-fan readers will appreciate her clean, organized design aesthetic and her products to help you live more efficiently!
As you can see I reversed the words star and ink in my illo - hope Marcie doesn't mind the play with the words.

Then we have Bri who makes gorgeous head bands with butterflies and/or flowers- you need to check out her blog at Little Miss Famous to see! All my hipster lady friends will so want to buy one of those!

Little Illo for my penpal Bri owner of Little Miss Famous and maker of butterfly headbands by m.diaz

Well thats that for today. Thanks to all the wonderful responses I got to the last pen pal post about what kind of cupcake you would be if you were one- I got such creative and revealing answers!! And reader Emi found a seriously thorough what kind of cupcake would you be quiz that you should totally try.

Its hard to rival such a great q&a session but lets try...so in keeping with the cupcake you said you would be in the last pen pal post what would the ideal drink with which to accompany your cupcake be if one were consuming you?

P.S. It's not to late to join the April 4th Basket Giveaway Raffle! For some of us Spring Break has started and the challenge to stop by has just become more difficult so your chances of winning are actually good! Just comment on every post since the GIVEAWAY post AND be sure to leave a NUMBER on your last comment on April 4th before 9pm!!

Little Things that Add the Illusion of Decadence to my Daily Life...

For any one that knows me, they know that somedays are just not easy and like many of us, I'm faced with having to muster up the emotional strength and courage to face another onslaught of oncoming 'life' traffic. So to those days and to all of you who can use a little decadence in your lives (especially when affluence is not in the cards) here is a little post that I think might help since it helps me!

Reflective Pool - I love to scope out windows in NYC - call it window shopping for pics! photo by m.diaz of Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Window

Designer Treats CHEAP!

Gaultier for Target

Yes, as of March 7th Target has added Jean Paul Gaultier for Target® to their limited designer series and it make me smile! Anything that brings accessibility to the ordinarily exclusive makes me happy. Since my college days (way back when) I've been a fan of slip dresses and in this target collection there are two; a green, black and white one and a pink and black one and now I have both! Yay!

Bella Cucina Lemon Cream

Lemon Cream
This is one of those little opulent secrets I have that make me feel SO rich when I'm SSO not!! In the morning, I like to make some black tea and spread some of this Bella Cucina Artful Food Lemon Cream on raisin bread and mmm mmm mmmm! I just learned that this co. also has a blog called The Art of Food and there are often exquisite recipes shared! Bella also has a book entitled La Bella Vita Cookbook which includes not only more recipes but inspiration as well.

Mad Hatter at my back...TEA!!

Speaking of tea, I am a tea freak! I have a ridiculous attraction for a ceramic lined tea thermos and special tea-cups. Japanese green tea from Mitsuwa, but everyday is a black tea day.

Harney & Sons Paris Black tea

A good tried and true black tea the Tazo Earl Grey BUT for those extra special splurge days I have to give it to Harney & Sons Paris tea!

My personal advisees wearing my wares

Support

There's an old adage that says you shouldn't be friends with your students, they have friends as it is and your job as an educator is to be removed from that. However, I find that idea prescribes to a very limited definition of friendship and it inhibits mentoring as an advisor. It is also an archaic form of education. We are people with stories, led by these narratives and by the very act of exchanging those stories we are developing friendships and mutual respect.

So needless to say, another joy of my daily life is teaching, sharing, GIVING and exchanging with younger and simply OTHER human beings. In this pic my personal advisees and I, their personal advisor, flaunt our holiday gifts to eachother! Click the pic to see the Mai Sweetshop rings I made for each of them.

All Things Japanese

Mitsuwa Bean Cake

Love, Love, Love japanese craft books and going down to Edgewater, New Jersey where there is an Asian market named Mitsuwa that provides you a miniature experience of transporting you to Japan. They sell the best grocery treats and have an in-house cafeteria where you can get the most amazing sweet bean cakes in the shape of fish! I love all things Japanese and these are no exception- always guaranteed to bring a smile to my face!!

Nature Walks and The Discovery Channel

from LIFE Dscvry Photo by Anup Shah

Going for long walks on a beautiful sunny day always makes me feel wondrously fortunate. After Planet Earth the next thing that gives me a sense of wonder and opulence is watching the new Discovery Channel series LIFE narrated by Oprah Winfrey. In this pic an African elephant calf follows its mother in Kenya's Masai Mara game reserve. Click to see this photo by Anup Shah Naturepl.com to see it larger. Watch this with a little metal silver cup of ice cream with a long silver spoon and you will feel like your being carried in a canopy over the world.

Ok Your turn!

There's more but this post is getting long enough as it is. Share with all of us - What adds a little bit opulence/decadence/luxury or simply what make you feel so RICH when your so not?