Sunday, May 8, 2011

Catching up on blog.....oops!

Me and Aive at Poker Run for Bailey! April 2011. Canon 20d

So uh yeah....no excuse for me not updating the blog. I have been super busy with fundraisers, art shows, birthdays, work, and life. Still, no excuse!

The month of April really was a whirlwind of artistic endeavors. In the beginning of the month I finally received my awesome business cards from Moo.com. The are AMAZING!!!! And they fit me and my, "all good things come in small packages," personality!

All of these photos are mine! Taken with both digital and 35mm film cameras.

Then, I had the honor (and duty) to take photos at my niece Bailey's fundraiser. My beautiful mini me niece Bailey has this opportunity of a life time to travel to Australia this summer as a Student Embassador for the People to People program. Color Auntie Jealous!!! But, who am I to not help raise some funds for this amazing trip. Her parents and their friends organized this fundraiser where they opened up their houses, had food, booze, and lots of gambling. All the money raised went to Bailey's trip.

My mini me Bailey on her 11th birthday :) March 2011. Blackberry phone camera.
Towards the end of the month I had an art show at Maya Essence. The date landed on Earth Day so I called it Earth Day Art Show ( I know...so original right?).  Hey, it worked and we had an amazing turn out! 

Earth Day Art Show. April 2011. Canon 20d

The artists that participated with the Earth Day Art Show had to showcase recycled art, affects of people population, or nature themed art.

Here's my stuff! I chose my bug photos :)

Kym Thomas

Dave Parker
Dave ParkerDa

Alison Downs




I'm so happy that I get to do this on a regular basis. It's the best!


Stay tuned for my goings on for the month of May. I already have stuff lined up :)

Thursday, April 7, 2011

i love art :)

Me at I <3 Chicago Artists art show, Maya Essence. 02.12.11
So February's art show was a blast! So many artists representing Chicago and lots of people!



I actually didn't get a chance to take as many photos as I would have liked, but I have to thank Vince for taking over the job...and bartend at the same time :) Here are some of the artists that participated.

Alex Puryear

Tiffani Kuhn

Antuoine Adams
It was great fun! We even celebrated Oscar's bday :)

Make a wish Oscar!!!!

Even my cousin Laura came!

I got me so cousin love :)

My awesome friend Paula also helped out and wo-manned the Affordable Art table too!

Couldn't have done it without you Paula!

All in all, it was an amazing turn out. The people that run Maya Essence agree too! In fact, they are allowing me to curate an art show every month! I'm super excited with this next chapter of my artistic life. Can't wait to show you more of what I have to show you all!

Woohoo!!! Go ME!!!

Now I just gotta get some business cards together......

Until next time :)

Saturday, February 12, 2011

My artist bio

Window shopping. Black and white 35mm film.


It took me forever to work on artist bio. I had so many that I've used, but they didn't really include anything about photography. This art show that I've curated at Maya Essence is on tonight. TONIGHT!!!! Can you believe it? Trust me, I can't. Yesterday was great! I had so much amazing help with everything that I feel alot more calmer and I'm actually looking forward to this. I even got some business cards too!

But anyway, back to my bio. I always made fun of the ones that I would read that sounded so uber profession and were like 4 or 5 paragraphs long. Even when I went as far as making artist bios for other people I always kept them really short. As I started typing mine out, I came to realize that I had a lot to say when it comes to my art, the reason why I love it and why I always came back to photography. This is the first art show that I've ever been in that will have my photography and only my photography. I can't believe it really.

So without further ado, here is what I came up with. I hope you like it :)

My first picture I have ever taken was when I was 4 yrs old. I took pictures of my Mom’s flowers in her garden and a few pictures of my dolls. My first picture I ever developed was when I was 5. Here I was, standing on tip toes on a stool, wearing a hospital mask (my dad was trying to protect me from the fumes…even tho it still stuck pretty bad) with adult size rubber gloves up to my armpits moving around a piece of paper in what I called “special water,” trying to make magic. To be honest I don’t remember what I developed that day and I’m pretty sure those pictures didn’t come out very well, but it was just nice to be able to do something that my Dad did for a living at that time. 

I have been dabbling in every kind of art for many years. Sketches, painting, speed ball and a bit of typography, but I always came back to photography. It’s second nature to me.  I always felt that with a snap of a button I can create a memory that will last a lifetime for some and tell a quick story for others.  I consider myself a person that’s, “75% film, 25% digital,” when it comes to taking pictures. I will always have rolls of 35mm film in my bag and some kind of camera in there as well (camera phone is not included in this confession).

 My main focus right now is to help other artists portray their artwork no matter what type of media it is in venues that are open to allowing them to express themselves in a place where there is no judgment or scorn. Artists deserve to have their work displayed and have people enjoy it. Their art is their voice that needs to get heard and to be seen by everyone.  


Window shopping for flowers. Black and white 35mm film

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

First art show of the year :)

Me with Ms. Beasley :) January 2011

I'm finally getting together a bunch of my local artsy fartsy friends and put together an art show called, "I <3 Chicago Artists." I'm super happy and excited for this. I'm looking forward to showing some of my photos since I usually put up paintings. Here's a sneak peak:

Simon with rose. 35mm film. 2008


Earwax cafe. 35mm film 

Chicago River from the Brown Line. 35mm film.

I'm mostly excited for the Affordable Art table. There's no way that any of us artists will not sell anything as long as they participate in that. I'm selling magnets, postcards, and prints. Another fellow artist makes her artwork into earrings and other pieces of jewelry. This is going to be great!

Hope to see you there!

Monday, January 3, 2011

My year of 2010 in photos

Helllloooooooo 2011!!!

Before I actually start this New Year, I really should take a stroll down 2010's memory lane. A lot of things happened to me and I want to share it with you all with pictures :)

January

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Vince had a stint in the hospital. This is the band aid that Becca gave him when he came home that night.



February

Anti-Valentine's Day cookies 


March

Becca and I at the 2nd Annual Soiree in Blue

April
Becca and the famous snuggler Simon

A bridge that I run over in a near by park

May

Chicago in May 2010

Mini cupcake!!!
June

Baby Sofi
Road Trip!

July

Farmers Market

My birthday :)

August

My nieces and nephew at a Cubs game (the middle one really is happy.....in the inside)

September

Clyde
Me at Starved Rock


October

Laura and Jerry


The sun sets in the city

Aive in the Chicago Marathon

November

Vince before....
...Vince after. All in the name of MOVEMBER!

December

I found this in front of Seltzer Library. Hat bomb!

Happy New Year everyone!!!