Meat Market ~ The Giveaway

What? Well, I'm giving away some "Beef[y]" so it seemed appropriate enough for a title! (Hey, I tried.) Anyway, Kids...I'm doing my first giveaway! It's sorta my little way to say thanks for all the kind words and support over the last month. This is a decoupaged plate that I did, measures 9.5" x 6.75" approximately, and speaks to my love of silhouettes, color....and YOU!

If you'd like to enter alongside the other millions of readers just leave a comment describing how you think existential philosophy and the rising trend of hot dog stands are affecting the overall political infrastructure of the United States. ;) That...OR you can just say "Cheerio!" (Addendum: As noted by Paola in the comments, perhaps unfair to ask my international readers to comment about the American political infrastructure. So absolutely feel free to say whatever you wish about whatever is on your mind...and you're in!)

I'll put all y'all's names together and draw at random.
Deadline for comment entries is
Thursday, July 3rd at midnight.ANYONE can enter!
So international readers...don't be shy!
I'll announce the lucky recipient this Friday, July 4th!!!

In Texas...they like 'em Beefy.

Wow! Okay, I'll go ahead and leave the title and live with the potential literary consequences of sounding a bit pompous...? But ever-so-sweet, Cheryl at Stash Studios (one of my daily reads) invited moi to participate in her guest blogger series this past week and I'm as humbled as molasses entering an uphill race in January! (Oh lord...now I sound like Dr. Phil!)

A bit o' Beefy.

How do, Kids! So talking to Kristine yesterday and she was like, "Show some of your artwork!" So I thought I'd put together a little compilation of some previous work I've done. These are some examples of silk-screened cards I did a while back. I suppose I should get back into the studio and see what comes out o' my top-hatted head (long artistic gestation periods can do strange & unusual things), but for now this let's you know that I ain't all full of hot air. ;)

Thanks for the nudge Miss Kristine :) (mwah!)

Quote o' the day.

Isn’t worrying about your appearance
a pretty superficial thing to do?

"Dress is only superficial if one hasn’t invested any thought in it. If one’s appearance is an outer expression of one’s inner state,
then it is deeply personal--and far from trivial."

~ Lord Whimsy

Port in the storm...you are.

.

What a morning. Woke up with a cold. Nothing really bad. More of an annoyance than an illness. No wonder given this past week and the fact that Seattleites are officially calling this month "June-uary"! The cats are going insane running around the house like lunatics and, given that they're both blind, are running into the occasional door frame or odd piece of furniture. I have to stand in the kitchen so that Fergus (the dog) will eat...he's terrified of the cats. He wraps things up and I get to gettin' on the computer. I have this weird thing where I hate having any accumulated "spam" so I head there to sort through them, making sure I'm not losing any "real" emails. Fortunately, I did otherwise I would have missed out on the myriad of emails that I have anxiously been awaiting from, Cialis, Viagra ~ "love you lady with better time" (?), "hot teen action" (eeeew!), or "talk live to 20 ladies" (Buddy, I'm pretty much doin' that now...and in a much more sophisticated way, I can assure you.). Who in Frank's name ever clicks on these things? I hit "empty". Are you sure you want to delete.....blah, blah, blah.....YES!

I head over to my "inbox" and there are quite a few emails, many pertaining to the "Somewhere..." post from the other day. I know I've already said thank you to those of you who wrote some incredibly inspiring emails. But I have to say that I find it amazing what can happen when you put yourself out there. I am one of those people who can have a difficult time asking for help. (And I don't think that is an admirable quality.) But, like I said the other day, I don't want to misrepresent myself by putting forth only the "good" stuff. Well lemme tell ya's...after all the inspiring and supportive words I've received from so many of you, not only has my mood lifted but my faith has been restored as well. You've become something of a port in the storm and I thank you all from the bottom of my Beefy heart.

We'll still have to see what the immediate future holds but I feel much more confident in the choices that lay before me. I am going to begin working on my studio again (some of you may remember that project?), and start the process of sketching to get the juices flowing. I'll post some of my creative undertakings from time to time just to keep you updated and for you to keep me accountable. But hopefully out of all of this someone else out there will be inspired knowing that it doesn't happen overnight or only to those who are merely lucky.

In the meantime, I'll keep on keepin' on and, of course, keep you all posted. If anyone is looking for some great inspiration I can tell you that the talented Julia recommended Marisa Haedike's "Creative Thursday" podcasts (How appropriate!). I cannot get enough and have been listening to them non-stop. I would SO second that suggestion and send a serious "shout out" to Marisa for putting herself out there as a means to inspire others wishing to pursue a creative life. Also, click on the links from the comment section of the "Somewhere..." post...there is a wealth of inspiration on these blogs!

So, as the sun is making a valiant attempt at shining, I will get myself together to work some creative magic on my lawn. It's in really bad shape...I mean bad shape! I on the other hand, thanks to you, am in good shape...I mean good shape! (Thanks!)

Somewhere...

Hi, Kids. Uhh, boy...today does feel something like a Monday. Yes, for sure it feels like Monday. Maybe it's the weather as the overcast skies are taking something of a toll on me. But, things have been in flux for me lately. Changes in life, work, home, and thought patterns (and that is always in some state of fluctuation).

I know you typically find me posting on fun, fashion, design, etc. And that was one of my main intentions in starting this blog. I really wanted to stay away from anything "rant" oriented and try to focus, as much as possible, on more positive and inspiring topics. And while I may not typically present anything deep from a spiritual perspective, I think something that even superficially brings a little smile to the day has worth.

That said, however, I also have the perspective that this is a personal blog. And nothing "personal" is ever without its flaws or humanity. And today, I feel flawed and oh so human. And I feel it is important that you see not just the cleaner and shinier version of me here but know that there are those cracks and crevices as well.

You see, after a relatively grueling schedule over the last three months my job has now come to an end. No, I didn't do anything...they simply closed the business. So I am, once again, in a place where I have found myself before. On a precipice. Looking up, down, around and feeling trepidation at making a move. On the one hand, I "should" do the "logical" thing and find another job or, on the other hand, venture into my own thing again. But what will either of those things bring? I can tell you right now they both share in common the traits of fear and anxiety.

I have worked in the hospitality industry for many years...and I am good at it...damn good. But what people often seem to assume is that because I am good at it, I am also happy or fulfilled in the process. This simply isn't true. It was at one time but those notes simply don't ring in tune as much as they once did. Somewhere inside there exists something else that wants to rise to the occasion. Truthfully, I can't say I know exactly what it is but it's there...oh yeah, and it's grumbling. And, laying the cards on the table, I am kind of afraid of that grumbling. That's a lie...I am afraid...period.

I am vacillating between what is practical and what is inspired between enthusiasm and gut-aching avoidance. I have tried things in the past with some success and some failure. And the failure always looms largest. Why is this? And why do so many of us do this to ourselves? I keep hearing the old adage, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." But something about my mindset doesn't really allow for that but rather cautions me toward something safer and more predictable. Boring.

Is this something specific to the creative mindset? Have all of us artistic/aesthetic types been sold a bill of goods that leads us to believe that the creative life must be hard and full of suffering? Or, perhaps worse, easy and fruitful...if only you're lucky or talented enough? And in a day and age where creating our own rules is easier than ever...why are so many of us trying to follow the old ones?

So what about you? Where might you be in all of this? Any thoughts to share about your personal process? Moving through fear? Finding your passion/s? Are you still seeking "it" or do you think you might just have found your "pot o' gold"?

Well, well, well...amazing how things show up.
Miss Julia pointed me in this direction.
And Victoria had this great post to share.