The New Fad

So, if mushrooms are in, does that mean owls are out?!!?? Who can keep up??!

(via decor8)

Illusration Friday: Run

I was a little stumped by this weeks Illustration Friday theme of Run, and then I started flipping through images that I have been wanting to use, but haven't found the time to sink my brush into. This is one of my favorite images.

It is a very familiar sight to see parents running down the street holding onto the front and back of their childrens bikes, trying to help their kids move beyond training wheels. I love this version from the early 1900's, although I am sure that that tiny little boy isn't going to be soloing on the motorcycle any time soon!

Plus, there is an illustration of 2 kids running from a swarm of bees on the left there, which kind of cracks me up. . . .

(You can see more detail images of this piece here)

Heart me, Baby!

I am of the habit of checking the stats for my sites pretty much everyday. And with Etsy, that means seeing who Hearts you. It is nice to be hearted, becasue then you know someone cares. I like it very much.

And so I have noticed over the past 2 days I have been at 199 hearts! One more and I will have exceeded every expectaion that I ever could have had going into this crazy art endevour! So am I offering a little incentive!

Whoever is the 200th Hearter will get 15% off their next purchase!
Runners up 201 and 202 will get 10% off!
Must be used by midnight Sept 10th.

You can see who hearts me here!

(If you are registering for a new Etsy account, please put MCaplan in the refferal box!)

What is Art?

This is a tricky question with a Pandoras Box full of answers, but none of them is the definitive right one! Art is all subjective. I think that anything you have an emotional reaction to, that you senses gravitate toward, is art.

Why is it that we have a hard time walking away from the things we find on the sidewalk?? Are those found objects considered Art simply because they are then introduced to your space and displayed??? What do you think?


I have started a new group on Flickr called Art In Your Home. It is intended to be a place to share any and all of the items you have displayed in your home, your Art.

The above is a question that I posed to the group. If you would like to comment, or say hi, you may do so here.

If you are on Flickr, join!! I cant wait to see all of the amazing art out there!

SPC: Small Space

I took a month off of participating in the SPC out of pure distraction. So much going on, and preparing for FC, and then our trip. I kind of get this feeling that even though we are a cyber community, it is very evident when someone goes MIA and is distracted by their offline life. It is summer, and so lots of people are traveling and spending more time away from home, then in front of the keyboard. It will be interesting to see how loud the community hum gets once school has begun!

I had my husband take this photo for me this morning. I was trying to think what kind of small space I often find myself in, and I realize that because my studio is right by the front door, I am constantly adjusting the blinds to avoid having to talk to sales people and realtors! These people LOOOOOVE knocking on the door during the day and discussing your property value blah blah blah, because this is what you want to discuss with a total stranger.

It is all a sales pitch, and I would just rather not be distracted. I do not need a new vacuum, and if I did, in 2006, I would go to the store to get one! I wouldn't open the door to the salesman and thank him for his miraculous timing because, hey, I was just about to clean the house (anyone who knows me, stop laughing!) and darn it all, the Dyson just exploded! (knock wood) What decade is this???

So. . . . This is the scene you might see if you were to approach my home unannounced. Me, peeking through the blinds, trying hard not to make the floor creak as I walk ever so carefully to the kitchen so you wont see me at my desk as you look in the windows to get my attention! The nerve!

I almost forgot!

I almost forgot to mention that I am part of the Projekt 30 August Exhibit! This piece, a commission created for Holly Becker over at decor8 is one of the group on display.

There is a nice mix of very interesting work in the group and I am sure you'll enjoy taking the look. Thanks to everyone that voted!!!

(Image courtesy of Holly Becker)

Felt Club pics-finally!

I have finally uploaded all of my Felt Club photos. The experience was AMAZING! I was a really hot day standing out there in the sun, but I have to say that it was a great day. I enjoyed meeting people and talking about the art, although people were a bit confused by the smaller pieces of art. They thought that the 6x8 pieces were boxes of stationary. . . . Kind of weird, but I come from the perspective of intimately knowing each and every piece, so I know what they are. I have to remember that my style is kind of out of the box, and that people seeing the work for the first time need a minute to explore and get it.


I hope to be doing the October Felt Club. I have registered, so lets see if I can get in. The event is moving this month to The Echo and will be indoors, which I am sure will be like a dream! There will be more vendors too!

We spent a lot of the day moving our umbrellas around so that the lip balms and art wouldn't be in the sun. Thank goodness Tom, my husband, showed up with an extra umbrella! That really helped. And we were able to lend it out once the sun went behind the building and we were in the shade! What a luxury!


The classes that were taught were a huge success. Each one was packed! And the free ice cream definitely helped cool the masses down! Jenny, of Sew Darn Cute founded Felt Club, and does a great job organizing the event. There was a fantastic mix of crafters. I walked away with a fabulous purse from Queen Puff Puff. I love it! And so does Tom, who hates digging through huge purses for items I request while driving! That drives him NUTS!


The rest of the pics we took can be seen here. We were so overwhelmed on the actual day that I forgot to walk around and take pics of the event as a whole, but you can see images at the Felt Club Flickr Group.


I realize I keep saying we, and I should elaborate! My friend Jamey, who you have all heard about by now if you are a reader of this blog, was a fantastic help on the big day! She is a great person to have in your corner! She has a shop on Etsy called Bath Chick. She is like a mad scientist! She makes the most divine bath bombs I have ever experienced! (They were a huge hit!)


We collaborated on the Lip Balms. She took piece of my art and created flavors inspired by those pieces. They were a big hit! People got to test them out and really enjoyed that they are all natural. This girl knows what she is doing! I am totally addicted! Lately, that is what Tom is digging out of the purse! Lip balm please!

All of the pieces and items that remain are now listed in my Etsy store.

Illustration Friday: Match

(detail from Swing Love)

For this weeks Illustration Friday theme match I decided to show a piece that interprets the word from a love standpoint. Monday was after all our first wedding anniversary, and because we were married 4 years from the day that we met, it was also our 5 year anniversary, but who's counting. ;) It is a huge milestone in our relationship, in any relationship for that matter.

I love the image of this couple sitting on the swing. I think they are a perfect match! This is just a detail shot, a close up so you can see that great "H is for Husband". In the background of the full piece is an illustration of a husband kissing his wife goodbye for the day as he heads off to work. It is so very much like a scene out of The Dick Van Dyke Show. I admire that sentiment and closeness. It is to be cherished!

It's all uploaded . . . FINALLY!

I just spent the entire day getting all of the new work and merch into the etsy store. I am ecstatic to have it all done! The lip balms photographed really well, as did all of the onesies! I am always relieved when the photography goes smoothly! Lighting can be tricky with no proper set up. That is why most of my images are shot in the backyard! I have to say I have grown fond of the grass and hedge backgrounds though!

I also updated the bookplates, magnets and pins with photos of the final packaging for each. I adore how the pins came out! The bright colored felt is so fun!

If you do check out the Etsy shop, be sure to click passed the first page. I uploaded a lot of art yesterday and it has already fallen to page 2 and beyond! I cant wait for V.2 of Etsy! Sounds like there will be better organizing options then!

So glad it is Monday!

I know that being excited for Monday is not normal, but I am!! Today is our one year wedding anniversary and we are off to relax in Dana Point. It is not a far drive, and there are no crazy airports involved! This is my perfect retreat! Just those facts alone make it so!


When I get back I cant wait to share all kinds of pictures from Saturday's Felt Club, (once we get back from our mini-break I will get them uploaded). It was a huge success and I loved meeting so many people. It was invigorating to hear all kinds of feedback and hang out with other crafty people. I am so proud of all of the work that went into the day, and that I am now ready to do fairs all over town. I have a few planned for the coming months and cant wait!

Also, the lip balms and onesies will be added to my Etsy shop on Thursday!! You are going to LOVE them!

An extra special thank you to my partner in crime, Jamey! Her help was invaluable. She was cheery the entire day, even during the hottest hours! You rock Bath Chick!!

See you all in a few days!

Rare Bird Finds

Quick note! I just got an email letting me that I am featured today on Rare Bird Finds! Thanks guys! Check out their site! It is awesome!

IF: Play

So I decided that for this weeks Illustration Friday theme of Play I would show a piece of hope. I feel like this poor adorable boy, Chris2, is probably going nuts in his head thinking how he would love to stop sitting still for the camera and bolt out the door to have some fun with his mates! Don't you just want to splash him with some mud! The background is comprised of lots of fun bits and pieces like an old playing card, a vintage Old Mother Hubbard illustration and poem, and the title page from a book called "The Tale of the Frisky Squirrel".

Come on Chris!! Give us a wink!

It's here already??

Well, Felt Club is tomorrow and I am so ready it is unbelievable! I cant wait to get my first craft fair under my belt! I will be taking lots of pictures so get ready for those! I am off to get my rest! See you tomorrow!!!

Unveiling!

I am so excited to finally unveil my newest endevour! My friend Jamey, a.k.a. Bath Chick, and I have created Limited Edition Art Lip Balms using my art to inspire the flavors! Jameys bath and candle products are amazing and these lip balms are no exception! There are six different flavors, each representing the personality of the face they represent. Lola is Sweet Grape, Eduardo is Fruity Vanilla, Helen is Red Currant, Peter is Rapsberry Lemonade, To Vera is Apricot Plum, and finally Sonya2 is Honeysuckle Nectar. They are all yummy! Each balm will be packaged with a larger art card.

They will be available for the first time this weekend at the Felt Club here in Hollywood.

(If you aren't able to make it to Felt Club this Saturday, have no fear! I will be adding them to my Etsy shop.)

.

Illustration Friday: Capture

I think this weeks Illustration Friday theme capture is very fun! It can be interpreted in so many ways. In my work I strive to capture a persons life and personality to tell their story. Especially when doing piece from found photographs. I have said this before, and will forever: the story is in the eyes.

This is one of my favorite favorite photos. This disheveled guy with his boutonnière. I envision him being a groomsmen at a wedding and he has had a bit too much too drink. He is a tad lonely. Hoping to find a chickie to chat up, but he's that angry guy. Cute, mischievous, wounded. Years ago a girl broke his heart, and now he puts up defenses to eliminate future possibilities of pain. I can go on . . . but I wont. I am sure you can imagine the rest.

This piece was just finished yesterday in a batch I am working on for FC next weekend. I am 2/3rds of the way through. I feel like I am running an art marathon! I can see the finish line! It is behind Meltdown Comics on the 12th!


**Each piece is done on a 6"x8" canvas. I should have said that! Sorry!! ;)

The Claw

I am busy this week getting everything planned for Felt Club! I cant wait to get there, but there is a lot to do in the next 2 weeks. I just finished packaging all of the badges, and should finish the magnets today. I was working on them last night and my hand is stuck in the shape of a claw! I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't straighten my fingers! Yikes! You got to suffer for your craft I suppose!


I am working hard to produce a good variety of work to offer at the Felt Club. As I have mentioned, it is my first Craft Fair and I am looking forward to getting out there, meeting people and participating in such a cool event.I got a fresh shipment yesterday of my 6"x8" canvases. I have been planning lots of fun pieces. I cant wait to get crackin' on those! There are lots of other fun things coming in the next couple of weeks. I can't wait to share them all with you!!!

SPC: Self portrait as Girlfriends

This weeks SPC photo is from the Luau party. These are my super talented girlfriends. I could think of no one better to spend a heat wave with! They are both so creative in totally different mediums. Their discipline and drive inspires me! They are also very batty, and lots of funs in the heat! Thank you girls for all your help on Saturday night! I laughed 'till I cried!

119!!

I don't know what to say. Over the weekend we hosted a Luau themed party for a friends 30th birthday and we had a blast! So much fun!! We spent all day Saturday preparing, skewering, tidying, and SWEATING! Why? Because on this very special occasion the temp. reached 119 degrees here in West Hills, CA. 119 with humidity. Yeah. Party!

WHAT??? I can't even believe that this is possible! When I think about how from the moment I woke up, until 2:30 am, I didn't cool off for a second long enough to even need to put moisturizer on my face(!!!) after a shower or a swim, I am beside myself. For the 50% of invitees who were brave enough to come to the Valley and bare the unruley heat and humidity, the saving grace was the frosted drink machine that was rented to constantly churn out slushy Chi Chi's and Hurricanes. Genius idea on the birthday girls part! Just good thinkin'! When the Flick'r batch is posted, I will link to it. I am sure the pictures are just hilarious!

So now, my good friend is 30, and in almost exactly 6 months, I will be too. I have a lot of work to do before then! I want to have curbed a few bad habits and silly issues. Enter the next decade a little lighter, in a lot of ways. Lots to do. Lots to do. . . . Once the heat takes a break. Too hot to deal now! Better to sit very still and only move my fingers to type!

Illustration Friday: Opposite

This weeks Illustration Friday theme is opposite. This piece is titles Abigail. I fell in love with this image the second I set my eyes upon it at a flea market. I love her lacy collar and very prim expression. The juxtaposition of her against this very racy and provocative background that is so opposite from what she seems to represent is fantastic. Almost like all of her secret desires are being exposed, but she has no idea, because it is all going on behind her. If she turns around, she is going to blush for sure!

"From the hands of . . ."

My work is featured in the Summer 2006 issue of ARTitude Magazine! I am so excited about this feature. The article is called "From the hands of . . . " and it was a really fun interview. I hope you enjoy it!