Have I Been Missing In Action?

Yes I have and, only on this blog.

It's true and I've even noticed it. There have been many times where I've said to myself, "Sit down and blog. About something. Anything". But, I never did. Why? Because it would be B.O.R.I.N.G. Not only boring to read, but boring to write. Hell, this post might just put you to sleep. I mean seriously, how many times can I go on and on and on about Day of the Dead? I've been all consumed with it for the last seven weeks or so. I know last year was crazy busy and this year, is no exception. I'm grateful for it and in this economy, even more so! The wholesale orders have been really good and, I even managed to grab some new business. In the midst of all the Day of the Dead art production, I actually had the help of two art assistants. They really helped me out alot and removed pressure I was putting on myself to get this stuff out the door. I think I've had to restock my supplies twice in amongst all of this madness. In addition to all of that, I've been building my art stock for my solo show, "La Bonita Senorita", set to open Saturday, November 14th. Talk about alot of energy and work going into something. I have new paintings, amongst other art items that I'll be exhibiting. I don't plan on posting any of the new stuff until after the opening. They'll remain a secret until then! I decided to post the show card below. I can't just let this post go without a picture. That would be even more boring. The image on the show card is the title of the show. She came out really pretty I think.

The information for the opening/dates for "La Bonita Senorita" can be found to the right in the sidebar.

Yesterday was my final delivery of wholesale goods and today, well, I took the day off from my art world. It's actually been nice. Besides, I plan on going missing again for a few days. How cool is that? But, I'll be back on Monday sometime. I'll be on the east coast and my camera will be getting a work out! I'll post some pictures when I get back and no, I'm not gonna say where I'm going, but, it's good.I leave tomorrow morning on a big ol' jet plane. And when I get back, it will definitely be back to work for me. I still have lots to do until that show of mine! So, until next week, everyone have a fabulous weekend - I know I will!

I'm A Maniac!

....a working maniac! I finished up my website tonight. I'm glad that it's completed, it was driving me crazy in its before state. I've kind of spot checked it here and there tonight and, I know that it's not perfect. It'll never be perfect. I have no doubt that I'll be doing some tweeking to it. I like the new look and I hope everyone else does too. I can check this task off my list!

Now, back to them wholesale orders and painting........lots of painting!

I Can Grow Tomatoes..Here's Proof!

I've probably posted too many pictures about tomatoes, but.... From seeds to what you see above and below. I'm kinda proud of myself for giving this a try! This plant has gotten so huge and its got lots of green tomatoes on it; can't wait 'til they're red!
And the ones that are growing upside down? They've got red ones, yellow ones and green ones.
So many so, that....

I cut up several, added just a bit of salt and damn,GOOD EATS! Nothin' better than home grown tomatoes!

As I was taking the outside shots, I had this ham rollin' around on the stairs just wanting his picture taken. I had to include a few shots of him.

He's not mine, he just hangs out here waiting for treats because he knows that the sucker who lives here, will give in to all of his cuteness!

What can I say? I'm a sucker for our furry friends! Always have been......

I Must Be Loco En Cabeza!

Last week when it was really, really hot and impossible for me to paint (I just can't paint without my lamp that throws out quite a bit of heat), I sat down at the computer (with two fans pointed right at me) and started playing with my website. Uh, oh, this is/was trouble (in a good way). I started to re-design it..........again! This must be, what, the fourth time, the fifth time? I have to say though, this version is by far my most favorite so far! I decided to scale it down, delete some items that will no longer be available on my site and, it's cleaner looking and pretty easy on the eyes. I've made really good progress too! My last section to complete is the Dia De Los Muertos section - I can't wait. However, I really have no business doing this right now, after all, Day of the the Dead is practically here and, my solo show will be here before I know it! So, I just thought I'd share this bit o' info with everyone, something to look forward to. I hope to have it completely finished within a week or so. I've decided though to take the rest of the day off and get ready to go out tonight to a blues club with some friends to see someone I have never seen or heard of play, this guy right here. I'm sure it'll be a good time and a nice way to start out the weekend! Here's wishing a great weekend to all!

Wanna Know What Makes Me Happy?

This does! The bass I've been working on is finally finished!After playing around with the finish, I finally settled on many coats of a gloss polyurethane and, it looks pretty good. Plus, it was cheaper than what I was quoted for the professional, glossy finish. However, I have a musician friend who knows of a gentleman who does this kind of work, so, if I paint another instrument, I can probably get that professional finish I wanted at a much better price. Nice!

With the guidance of a bass player on what parts I should get, it all came together this past week. It was decided that I would keep all of the parts that came with this thing and just clean them up as best I could. The only replacements I had to get were some screws, the two pieces that hold the strap onto the bass, the strings and some oil to clean/rejuvenate the fretboard.
Cleaning the fretboard made all of this difference - it's no longer dry and ugly. I re-strung this bass thanks to a video on YouTube. Although I didn't take a picture of it, I bought a stand for the bass. It's kinda nice that it's now in a stand rather than laying here or there, or, leaning up against something.

I also found out (thanks to my helpful bass player), that this bass is probably from the 60's, is Japanese made in the style of a Fender bass with a cheap fretboard and headstock. He even thought that when he first looked at the bridge that I originally wanted to replace but didn't. He also told me that the bass itself wasn't worth anything. So, I'm glad that I didn't invest tons of money into this. He also told me that if this was painted on a well made bass that I could really make some bank on it. He was throwin' out dollar figures here and there and was really very helpful! With the way he and I were talking (mostly him), we may collaborate on something in the future.

So all in all, I'm pretty happy with the results of this one! The last thing to decide about this one is, what will I do with it? Keep it? Sell it? Just don't know....Hopefully I'll get an opportunity to paint another bass or guitar, because I have to say, it's kinda cool to actually see someone play an instrument that you've had a hand in making look pretty and one-of-a-kind. So, with all of this said, I know today is a U.S. holiday, Labor Day, and I hope everyone has a great holiday today! Since I had some fun and what-not over these last two days, today, I will be laboring on other art stuff. Of course if a sweet offer happens to come along, I may just skip the laboring for another day!

Until next time.....

California Caliente!

I just had to post these pictures of my cat today. It's so hot here (and has been!) that she seeks refuge from the heat on the bricks in the fireplace.
She went "missing" and it took me awhile to find her. I've since put a small, cooling fan pointed in her direction. I wouldn't want my crazy lil' cat to overheat!

It Can Be Frustrating...

Trying to get projects/paintings completed when it's really hot, but, I'm trying.... This is a painting I've been working on for at least the last three weeks. I keep picking it up to work on it, then putting it back down. Why? Because I'm not happy with it; her face looks weird to me. Although its improved from where it started, it's still a little off to me. Her eyes are too big? The mouth is off? Does she have a fat lip? I don't know. I haven't given up on it just yet.I hate it when this happens.
I've started this skull too. It's a different style of skull and it's a bit bigger than what I normally work on. I had to lay out the embellishments on this one first before I started the paint job. I like that it's going to be in the yellow family too. I think the yellow bird in the center of the skull has set the tone for the entire thing.
The skull "head band" is going to look really cool I think!

Since the yellow bird set the tone, I decided to make this one a Frida themed skull with a bird eyebrow. It just had to be! Plus the butterflies will look awesome as well.

So that's it, that's what I'm up to at the moment. Now, if only the weather would cool down, I'd be able to get alot more stuff done. Here's to hoping!

Keep cool all!