the things i do: try to learn new things - the hula hoop

I was out buying Easter basket goodies for my kid when I came across a hula hoop in the store. I decided I would make the investment and get one for myself. I don't know how to use it yet but I am committed to the idea of teaching myself. I realized that as a stay-at-home designer the hula hoop is the perfect thing for me. As I am waiting for things to print, files to save or items to download/upload I can easily pick up the hula hoop and 'practice'. I can pick it up and put it down very quickly and easily and it makes the time that would otherwise be considered 'down time' into productive time. I went onto youtube to find some instructional videos but have found everything a bit too 'advanced' for me. I need to know how to get it to stay up. Got tips for me? Please advise...

Thanks to Ali Fitzgerald of HoopMamas from Lawrence, Kansas for letting me use the above photo. You can pick up a hula hoop at her Etsy shop!

the things i do: ride my bike

I have the coolest bike in the world. It is a Townie Electra. It looks like a cruiser but it actually has 21 speeds. Mine also has a kid seat on the back. It is a great bike because it utilizes 'flat foot technology' which means that you pedal with a flat foot (as opposed to using the ball of your foot). It is also great because you can sit upright....causing no strain on your wrists. Finally, it looks all kinds of cool. I can't tell you how often I get comments like 'cool ride' when I am out on the street. I just ring my bell and lift my chin and ride off into the sunset....

the things i do: prepare for an installation

This year, for the weekend of Somerville Open Studios Maria Marx and I will be creating an installation in the front yard of her home - where will be showcasing our work (#65 on the map).

In the past I have created small installations...filling the yard with hundreds of pinwheels, etc. but this time....well lets just say we will be going a bit 'bigger'.

Fortunately for me, the official color of SOS is orange; obviously, this works well with my overall branding. And, if you are in New England this year, you know that spring is not here (yes, its another cold, wet, dark day here). So...in an attempt at bringing cheer and color to the hood we will be filling the yard with orange! I have decorated beer bottles with orange duct tape to be distributed throughout the barren yard and we covering the barren tree with dozens and dozens and dozens (and dozens) of orange balloons.

I am creating patterns out of duct tape and cutting them out (by placing the tape onto transparency paper and then cutting it out). So far, I have seven bottles completed. I'm not sure what is going to look best so I am trying various things...and I am open to opinion. So if you have something to say, say it.

the things i do: allow my home to be taken over by bottles

In preparation for open studios I am spending a lot of time preparing bottles. This means that I have to collect bottles, wash bottles, dry bottles (inside and out), remove the labels off of the bottles (the crappiest job ever), label the bottles, cap the bottles and then store the bottles somewhere safe and dry. As a consequence of this my hands and nails are shot and my small home is overflowing with bottles.

something orange

'Warm Solitude'
Fine Art Photography by Matt of MatkirschPhoto; Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

the things i do: attend art openings (that feature my work!)

This is the Somerville Museum. Every year they host an exhibition featuring all of the artists that participate in Open Studios. This year I will be #65 on the map! Last night Maria Marx (of Maria Marx Art) and I attended the opening reception. Although I wasn't psyched at the placement of my work (it was a bit low and I wish they would have put it at eye level!) it is always fun to see your work in a museum. The exhibition will be up through Open Studios weekend (April 30-May 1) so I encourage you to pay the exhibition a visit. Be sure to kneel down in front of my piece and take a look!





I will be featuring my custom home brew labels at open studios. They are also available at my etsy shop!

the things i do: complain about the weather

Today is April 16th. Spring arrived nearly a month ago. And it is colder than a witches tit. And I am going to complain about it.

Today I went for a walk and took my daughter to the park. I wore a sweatshirt, jacket, jeans, scarf, hat and gloves. As I pushed the stroller home my fingers (inside of my gloves) were going numb. Numb. Numb. That's right: NUMB. What up with that?! It felt like wearing thermals under my jeans, mittens and a winter coat would have been appropriate. It is grey out; it is windy and cold and honestly, it sucks. I want warm weather. Bring on the heat damn it.

Thanks to thedreamygiraffe of South Carolina for permission to use 'Girl with Polar Bears'. One of my favorite things about this piece is that it is a print of her painting called 'Grin and Bear It'. Ironic?