I N T E N T I O N

......"make it your goal to live with intention and really be present in everything that’s going on, even if it’s uncomfortable.”

-author unkown

{Gonna keep this in mind more often. Thanks for the quote on the bottom of your email, Tata.}

Poppy Fields in Lancaster, CA

California Poppies

Into a sea of poppies we fled.

Bryant takes some really rad photos.

For two months every year, the California poppies take full bloom. My two B's {Bryant and Bela} and I took an adventure to the Antelope Valley to see what all the hype was about.

The day was perfect. 

The wind was strong. 

The sun was blasting. 

The poppies were overwhelming, 

and it felt like we could've stayed there forever.

I've missed my camera.

Attemp #7 {at least} with the self timer.

"Poppies...Poppies. Poppies will put them to sleep. Sleeeeep. Now they'll sleep..."

-Wicked Witch of the West, The Wizard of Oz

Fruit for Sharon

Last year, I painted Flowers for Sharon, as a gift for my dear friend, Corinne's mother. 

For her birthday this year, Corinne asked me to paint fruit to match decorative plates in Sharon's kitchen. 

The challenge was waiting. I had to wait for each little petal and piece of fruit to dry before I could add more to the picture. If I didn't wait all the colors would run together. I love watercolor. It teaches me patience. 

The Here & Now.

I awake in gratitude of you, 

Oh Lord.

My soul is content in knowing you love me

for who I am. 

Right here. Right now.

Jacksonville, Florida

The Hands I Hold

I miss this:

These were some of my favorite moments during the two weeks of camp in Kenya.

At any point point of time in the day there would be at least one kid's hand in yours. 

This is love, and it is so simple.

Hangin from a Cloud

I have no idea who created this photo, but I enjoy it. I would like to be that girl on the swing....

Levitated Mass by Michael Heizer @ LACMA

taken on my instagram... of course.

Art and Independence? Happy 4th!

Things I Find in the Garden

 Artichoke flowers- one of my new favorite things.

Mail for Al

Al is really into collaging and things, so the last couple pieces of mail art I have sent him were somewhat my reflection of him in this form. 

First, Al LOVES Paula Dean! When we worked together he would bring up Paula Dean all the time, talking about her crazy recipes, and how extremely unhealthy they are for us. For example, she made a breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg, and hamburger meat between two doughnuts! {Let's talk about a heart attack waiting to happen!} Nonetheless, he found her very fascinating, and I think she is crazy! I based one of my pieces on his love for her, as well as including a snippet of Al- he likes to paint his nails.

Last time Al and I hung out he was wearing silver nail polish. I am going to be honest. His nails look much better painted than mine do. His fingernails are bigger, so there is more surface to cover, and also it seems to last longer on him. When I paint my nails, it starts chipping off an hour after I am finished {horribly} painting them. 

So, this was my humorous attempt to spotlight Al's love for Queen Paula Dean and painted nails. I made the collage on the outside of an envelope and covered the whole thing with vellum. 

Below is the second piece of mail I made for Al. I made it in response to his mail for me: an abstractly cordial invitation, asking me to go on a walk with him. Today I plan to make more.

Art in Motion

To celebrate president's day {not really} Paula, Milan and I took a trip to the MOCA, in downtown Los Angeles. This was my favorite phone photo of the day. My goal was to make art artsier- accomplished.

Blue Singing Poppies

I painted this yesterday, at 5:30 am, for a woman named Ashlee. It was bought for her as a birthday gift by a friend of mine. I had to mail it off myself so it would arrive on time. I included a little note wishing her a happy day.
It is neat sending mail to people I have never met. I can imagine her reaction of interest and curiosity about who I am, and I know she will smile, because it is something other than a bill.

Zentangling It Up

My dad loves to draw. He is constantly sending people his drawings, as envelope art. Since before I was born he has been drawing "zentangles", but has really been getting into them more in the last year or so {check 'em out}.  He asked me if I would draw and send him my own version {below}.

I really enjoyed making this. So I made another-

My friend Al, from work, and I decided we were going to be mail art friends. I decided to draw him a zentangle. I sent it off in the mail yesterday- he should be receiving it today, if the post office is reliable. Here it is:

 

There are more in the works. Thanks Tata for the inspiration!

Flowers for Sharon

Recently, I was asked to paint a picture, by my awesome friend Corinne, as a gift for her mother. She gave me a picture to match, dimensions and specifications. Here is what I came up with:

The picture I had to match:

  

I had fun painting this, and her mom loved it. Success!

Gratitude for a Fox

This rock is for Lori Fox, a magnificent woman and friend. 

Two weeks ago, Lori moved to Texas for her job as a designer, for a really great company called Raven and Lily. They work with women in India and Ethiopia, designing jewelry, journals and other goods, empowering these woman and giving proceeds back to them. Read about them!

Before Lori left, for the past 2 1/2 years, I rode a bicycle and walked as means of transportation. Occasionally I used public transportation, but honestly I usually ended up walking because in Los Angeles the buses are a joke, {helpful at times} but slow as! So, anyway, One day I was riding to work and praying, asking God to somehow give me a car, because my legs were so exhausted. One hour later, my phone rings and it was Lori Fox. She said she was no longer keeping her car and asked if I still needed one. I said YES, of course! Then, Lori told me she was giving me the car........ How amazing! I had a grin from ear to ear the rest of the day. I could do nothing but thank God for being so good, and putting such wonderful people in my life. So, forever I am truly grateful.

Lori is my new pen pal, and this is just the start of the art she will be receiving.

Heart Shaped Rock

Tati's Heart Shaped Rock

In college, my roommates and I would walk to the beach together, gathering rocks. There were so many, varying all shapes, sizes, colors and patterns. We began noticing many that were heart shaped, then our collections became more specific. 

This past weekend, I found another heart shaped rock in Malibu, while walking my pup on the beach. It made me think of Tati, one of my beloved college roommates. So I grabbed it and painted it for her. I sent it off in the mail yesterday, and cant wait until she gets it- sending lots of lover her way. 

There is a theme here... Birds with Words.

Mom's Rock

Mom's Rock : Christmas 2011

A gift for my mother this year was a rock, this rock to be exact. On the 24th, my family took a stroll on the beach in Malibu. Mom found this rock and told me to paint it. So, I did, and gave it right back to her for Christmas. She loved it. Thanks for the inspiration Momma!

Painting rocks is my new hobby. Found canvases are the best, to me. They are unique and can add life to whatever you create on them. I love nature, and intertwining it with artwork. 

more to come...

Adventures with Bela

 

The joy of having a pup: she makes a great companion.

 

"Zophe"

While I was visiting my sister and her family, a little over a month ago, we took a drive to the beach one evening. My nephew Max was catching white sand crabs in the small dunes, and Sophie was writing her name ever so cutely in the sand.
 

Sophie, age 4

The Family That Tattoo's Together...

About a week ago I was in North Carolina, visiting my parents. Prior to the visit I had discussed my next tattoo idea with my dad, and asked him to come up with a design.
I have been challenged and growing in my faith. I wanted something to mark this stage of my life, and act as a constant reminder for when times get tough. I wanted an ichthus and a cross, both which are very symbolic in Christianity. I didn't want it to be cheesy and super religious, even though I do believe in Christ, I do not believe in religion. Religion is not viewed how it should be any longer {but this is a whole separate topic}. 
Anyways, I knew my dad would have an awesome design, and he did! This is what he came up with:

 

On Tuesday my dad set up an appointment at Warlock's which is a tattoo shop in Raleigh. But it wasn't just me getting the tattoo. My mom and dad wanted it as well! 
{Side note: This is not a first for my family. We have been tattooing together for years. My dad even has a slogan: "The family that tattoo's together stays together." And, that's us!}   
I decided to document this bonding moment. I must admit, my parents are the coolest and very hip.

 

Catching Dreams

I made this dreamcatcher for my mom, when I was in college a few years ago. At the time, I lived at the beach and would often come home from walks with driftwood and rocks. I have always been a collector of: stuff {with a plan to make it into some sort of art piece}. 
I wanted to make her something special, and handmade gifts are always the best. The dreamcatcher goes along with our Cherokee background and it catches good dreams and lets the bad pass through. Thankfully she liked it and now it hangs over my parents bed.

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