tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379285362024-03-12T21:41:53.805-05:00moment of stars dot netAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.comBlogger555125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-78014312034406013932016-03-31T09:00:00.000-05:002016-03-31T19:35:50.629-05:00Art for a Good Cause: Pigs 4 Kids <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last year I had a passing thought: <i>What if I did a huge project for charity and made art for a large audience?</i> </div>
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This idea came about after making some new artist friends who create large scale paintings during events. It's painting as performance art! People get to watch the entire piece develop over the course of a few hours or days, depending on the event. After they're finished, the painting is available for purchase. (Shout out to <a href="http://crispyprintz.com/">Crispy Printz</a>! They are such an inspiration to me!) As with most of my ideas, it starts out with <b>I WANT TO DO THAT!</b> And so I figured out how I could.</div>
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Here's a peek into my thought process: <i>I could paint one huge thing, but then who would buy one huge painting? So think smaller...that means multiples of one idea. Cool. How about 100 of something? Got it. How about a local charity that helps feed children? Perfect. How about setting up at a local BBQ and music festival that was created to benefit volunteer firefighters? <b>OMG THAT'S IT!</b></i></div>
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Since it's a small town, I had a direct connection to the folks in charge of <a href="http://www.sotwfestival.com/">Smoke on the Water BBQ Cook-Off and Music Festival</a>. I typed out a quick message and just like that I had myself a new project to work on! Looking back at my messages, it looks like I got the idea approved last year. So I had plenty of time to work out the details.</div>
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Buying 100 canvases would be expensive, so my dad and I spent an afternoon cutting down three sheets of birch plywood. For a little over 70 bucks, I had plenty of panels to paint. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvdAwcuggVHM5QHJGg8KchlLfVVqUgiznH3jvytuG8TLI1C2O9uYxCga1vzWZI7HGzYPDNHjizToIxy_RxFuawWMYKSB5NQiiTs-4a7zqINILG0NKcjhBivFbHb2Oac5L72t4Sg/s1600/Pigs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvdAwcuggVHM5QHJGg8KchlLfVVqUgiznH3jvytuG8TLI1C2O9uYxCga1vzWZI7HGzYPDNHjizToIxy_RxFuawWMYKSB5NQiiTs-4a7zqINILG0NKcjhBivFbHb2Oac5L72t4Sg/s640/Pigs2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But what was I going to paint? What do people like? Well, since I'll be setting up at a BBQ fest, why not PIGS! People love pigs! </div>
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This project is called "<b>PIGS FOR KIDS</b>" and I'll be painting 100 8"x12" pigs on wood. Each pig painting will be $40. ALL of the proceeds benefit <b>Food for Thought</b>, a volunteer non-profit group dedicated to making sure Thomaston, Georgia schoolchildren don't go hungry. Children in the program receive a food bag every Friday afternoon to take home for the weekend as well as bags for school break periods. The group is in their fourth year and puts together almost 7,000 bags every school year. The bags of food cost about $4 each.<div>
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Like I said before, it's a small town and I know the folks in charge of Food for Thought. I ran the idea by them and they happily agreed!<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmtIpNYa_uI5nEo6e35t_UL1AfxbrCNO6JHHs9SF5gk3a6eZHaoIAcgs9WNOaT351ZwJ8KcVqTyBGn0KOFUO5pqmK2fA3ByKQGqsWaJjgySZRdiybtK2FbeEijO9NRE22XwhrjQ/s1600/Pigs4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmtIpNYa_uI5nEo6e35t_UL1AfxbrCNO6JHHs9SF5gk3a6eZHaoIAcgs9WNOaT351ZwJ8KcVqTyBGn0KOFUO5pqmK2fA3ByKQGqsWaJjgySZRdiybtK2FbeEijO9NRE22XwhrjQ/s640/Pigs4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So there you go, you have the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN, the WHERE...but what about the WHY. Why do I feel compelled to do such a huge project? And the answer is just a simple <b>because I want to.</b> I live a very sweet life & I'm very fortunate in so many ways. Why not use my talents and abilities for good if I am able to? Besides, I love doing passion projects like this to keep my creativity flowing. It's a win-win-win all around!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5qejNxzQHb-Isr7PxC_jvW5maPBnCGOGKtQk60sM0J67jenhshDrt59_-ylcqwDd4CRQpr2BLpkblebusNQMesRhNt5b5ABY636XfFC_-ZVOTEhnyeRS4mA5quhieY6_G-Eyfg/s1600/Pigs6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5qejNxzQHb-Isr7PxC_jvW5maPBnCGOGKtQk60sM0J67jenhshDrt59_-ylcqwDd4CRQpr2BLpkblebusNQMesRhNt5b5ABY636XfFC_-ZVOTEhnyeRS4mA5quhieY6_G-Eyfg/s640/Pigs6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I started painting on February 27th, 2016 and today is March 31st. So far I have created <b>FIFTY </b>pig paintings. That means I have grossly underestimated my ability and my time to paint so many pigs. I'm right at the halfway point and the deadline is well, tomorrow.</div>
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BUT GUESS WHAT! It's my project and I can extend the deadline if I want to. I'm still setting up at Smoke on the Water this weekend. And I have plenty of pig paintings to sell. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuqMN5NlCb-Bw597CuCEoiowg0FMBzCj3umyjyhoLiQbXF9F7Ahtb0gtl1Ti772oIuQYwFvXKX7dnM5uXayPNzZiyJ9-DNrPnvPldz7c6C1ZdKMEB8jzrA5RKOeWwzrXzqCakjg/s1600/pig+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuqMN5NlCb-Bw597CuCEoiowg0FMBzCj3umyjyhoLiQbXF9F7Ahtb0gtl1Ti772oIuQYwFvXKX7dnM5uXayPNzZiyJ9-DNrPnvPldz7c6C1ZdKMEB8jzrA5RKOeWwzrXzqCakjg/s640/pig+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are 35 random pigs from the 50 that have been created. Hopefully they all find new homes soon!</div>
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If you're on Instagram, follow my progress at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fawne/">@Fawne</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/pigs4kidsproject/">#Pigs4KidsProject</a>. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-28729909184240127152016-02-05T09:00:00.000-05:002016-02-05T09:29:33.123-05:00How To: Love Magnets<div style="text-align: center;">
Every few weeks I work on a project for my town's <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/search/label/free%20art%20friday">Free Art Friday</a>. A few weeks ago, I made a note that the first Friday in February would be FAF day, but hardly made any plans to work on anything. With the deadline looming, I made an art supply run and wandered around <a href="http://www.michaels.com/">Michaels</a> for inspiration.<br />
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When I'm trying to come up with an idea for free art I have a few criteria: small, inexpensive, transportable, and easily created multiples. This way more people can find and enjoy the art.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/24465043499/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Making Magnets"><img alt="Making Magnets" height="513" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1479/24465043499_7db60049c7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
I found these <a href="http://www.michaels.com/10308891.html#q=birch&start=10">small birch tags</a> in the wood section. I got two packs of twenty and a <a href="http://www.michaels.com/pro-mag-value-pack-button-magnet/10265239.html#q=magnets&start=10">pack of 50 magnets</a>. </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/24205835123/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Making Magnets"><img alt="Making Magnets" height="513" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1460/24205835123_51eff009ef_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Armed with my trusty tube of <a href="http://www.michaels.com/e6000-craft-adhesive/10192536.html">E6000</a>, I got to gluing.<br />
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*Please note: I usually work in my studio but this afternoon I was waiting on a very important delivery. I decided to work at the kitchen table that faces the southwest and the bright setting sun was coming in through the windows. </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/24806415186/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Making Magnets"><img alt="Making Magnets" height="513" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1645/24806415186_3441da338d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Using a paint pen to add some blue dots. All random, just filling in the space.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/24714817452/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Making Magnets"><img alt="Making Magnets" height="513" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1582/24714817452_76f338cddc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Adding another layer of color.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/24714821392/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Making Magnets"><img alt="Making Magnets" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1516/24714821392_a23937d645_z.jpg" width="639" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
I used a Sharpie marker to draw hearts over the painted dots. When all of that dried, I brushed on a coat of <a href="https://www.plaidonline.com/mod-podge/brand/home.htm">Mod Podge</a> to seal in the design. <i>VoilĂ ! </i>Little love magnets. </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/24205836833/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Making Magnets"><img alt="Making Magnets" height="428" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1711/24205836833_8903d1474e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Cute art that doesn't break the bank!<br />
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It's going to be pretty fun setting these up around town!<br />
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<i>*I am not a Michaels affiliate. I get no compensation from clicks on the links. Just wanted to show exactly what I bought.*</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-9331686394179541452016-01-04T11:51:00.000-05:002016-01-20T10:00:43.863-05:002015 in Review<b>Listmaking is one of my favorite hobbies. </b>The best time for list-making is at the end of a very exciting and interesting year. After the Christmas holidays, in that weird, slow week before the New Year, I always spend a lot of time reflecting on the year and what I've been up to.<br />
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2015 was a strange time, really. I was thinking that I didn't do as much as I've done in previous years, but when you get everything down on paper, you're able to see for yourself that YES, you got some work done! It's an incredibly validating experience.<br />
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So, here's what I've been up to -<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16647704129/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="334" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7622/16647704129_e4edbf255b.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Adventures:</span></b><br />
- <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/NYE2015.html">Tybee & North Florida</a><br />
- <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/travel-southeast-alabama.html">Southeast Alabama</a><br />
- <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/03/travel-howard-finsters-paradise-garden.html">Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens</a><br />
- Spring Break in Gulf Shores<br />
- <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/10/travel-blue-ridge-parkway-with-side-of.html">Blue Ridge Parkway // Asheville</a><br />
- Thanksgiving in Michigan (<a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/12/travel-wigwam-village-2.html">Pit stop at the Wigwam Village</a>)<br />
- NYE in Tybee<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">General Cool Things that Happened:</span></b><br />
- <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/292692-fawne-fawne-fawne?page=1&shelf=2015&view=covers">Read 21 books</a><br />
- Met really cool dudes like: <a href="http://nerdist.com/tag/chris-hardwick/">Chris Hardwick</a> (who was on tour with my ZINE FRIEND <a href="http://aprilrichardson.squarespace.com/">April Richardson</a>), <a href="http://www.wtfpod.com/">Marc Maron</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Carter">Jimmy Carter</a><br />
- Participated in a couple of lantern parades<br />
- With the help of the local community and a few out of town donors, gathered 700 boxes of crayons to hand out to local students<br />
- Organized a Sidewalk Chalk Art Fest at the local park during the annual Easter Egg Hunt<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/17185480446/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Whale Shark Progress"><img alt="Whale Shark Progress" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7700/17185480446_2183de2592.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2015 Art in Numbers:</span></b><br />
- <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/making-of-cover-52-hertz.html">1 magazine cover</a><br />
- 4 murals<br />
- 7 shadowboxes created (Check out the first one: <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/02/youre-heart-is-muscle.html">Your Heart is a Muscle</a>)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Piggie Park's Annual Christmas Ornament</td></tr>
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- 15 commissioned projects finished (<a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/09/commission-red-tailed-hawk.html">Red Tailed Hawk</a>, <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/04/commission-whale-shark.html">Whale Shark</a>, and several personal projects like wedding and first birthday signs)<br />
- 15 windows painted (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.485533181583334.1073741831.485078511628801&type=3">a gallery can be found on my FB Art Page</a>)<br />
- 32 paintings of my own (Including: <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/celestial-folk-art-series-pisces.html">Pisces</a>, <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/02/celestial-folk-art-series-canis-major.html">Canis Major</a>, <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/06/celestial-folk-art-series-cetus-lepus.html">Cetus and Lepus</a>)<br />
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<b>Not counted:</b> Free Art Friday art created, tattoos tattooed, drawings/sketches drawn, paper lanterns made, <a href="http://www.flintrose.com/">paintings for my Arty Party classes at my studio: Flint Rose</a><br />
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<b>Also:</b> 3 Georgia cities displayed my art: <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/03/on-display-bare-bulb-coffee-warner.html">Warner Robins</a>, <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/06/on-display-fountain-city-coffee-columbus.html">Columbus</a>, and <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/08/on-display-monkeys-uncle-griffin.html">Griffin</a> (make that 4 cities since <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/06/art-adventure-art-gone-wild-at-zoo.html">I painted at Zoo Atlanta in June</a>.)<br />
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<b>Let's get back to what I said earlier:</b> <i>2015 was a strange time, really</i>. It was strange because I finally FINALLY decided that I am unable to make as much money as I need through art alone. It's a sad and humbling realization that what you've been working towards for many years just isn't sustainable.<br />
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So I got a part-time job as a server. Yes, I'm waiting tables again after a 14 year hiatus. And the GOOD news? I enjoy it. And the GOOD GOOD news? I have a steady stream of money coming in! This may be a topic I can write about in a future blog post, so I'll save most of my thoughts for that.<br />
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2015. What a long, strange trip it's been. I'm looking forward to the fun of 2016.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-75755059968495938532015-12-14T14:41:00.000-05:002016-04-01T15:04:19.553-05:00Travel: Dinosaur World (Part 1)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/25570162914/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="333" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1611/25570162914_d2d724df96.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<b><a href="http://dinosaurworld.com/kentucky/">Dinosaur World!</a></b> You see this on the side of the highway and OF COURSE you have to go!<br />
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Cave City is full of delightful, fun spectacles in the middle of nowhere America. We already checked out <a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/12/travel-wigwam-village-2.html">the Wigwam Village and a cave</a>, so after the sun came out the next morning, Maz and I explored this great roadside attraction.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/26082216342/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="333" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1608/26082216342_18e1850fe1.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<b>Dinosaur World is simple:</b> over 150 replicas of various extinct reptiles spread out over 20 acres of land.<br />
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Simple...but SO MUCH FUN! After paying an admission fee, you're set loose to follow a trail around the grounds. There's a dinosaur or two every few feet with a small placard displaying information about the species. </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/26148728666/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="333" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1670/26148728666_c92935a684.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The temperature was hovering just above freezing and we were on a strict travel schedule so we couldn't spend too much time standing still. It took us about an hour to cover the entire space, but I could see spending a few more hours there if you had smaller kids. There's a playground that could keep little ones entertained for awhile.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/25572041273/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="333" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1457/25572041273_6271406a47.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/25572042743/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="333" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1657/25572042743_9f6b976c17.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/26082221782/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="334" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1458/26082221782_f24f6f6dda.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/26108573261/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="402" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1667/26108573261_67c8310720.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
We had to pose with the large Photosaurus! We got a couple of honks from the highway, too.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/26148733786/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="334" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1566/26148733786_d929c8be65.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/26148734916/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="333" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1441/26148734916_833d423ecf.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/26108342531/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="333" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1639/26108342531_7926e3ee33.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/26148737846/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="334" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1529/26148737846_aac000a561.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/25569935094/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY"><img alt="Dinosaur World, Cave City, KY" height="334" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1534/25569935094_2f0dc7ff91.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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As long as you don't take your dinosaurs too seriously, you and your family could have a nice afternoon at Dinosaur World! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-2837549763811259892015-12-07T12:58:00.000-05:002016-01-17T13:02:01.871-05:00Travel: Wigwam Village #2<b>By now you should be familiar with my fondness for weird roadside attractions.</b> While planning my annual roadtrip to Michigan to visit family, I knew that I wanted to stop mid-way for a rest (my younger days of driving 14 hours straight through are officially over!). So I fiddled around on <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/">Roadside America</a> and discovered that the <a href="http://www.wigwamvillage.com/">Wigwam Village #2</a> wasn't too far from my route. <br />
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I have to add that I'd seen where <a href="http://www.thedaintysquid.com/">Kaylah of The Dainty Squid</a> has stayed at <a href="http://www.thedaintysquid.com/search?q=wigwam+village">all three Wigwam Villages</a>. I'm pretty sure this is how I discovered the awesomeness of these unique attractions.<br />
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I mean, how could you pass up staying in one of these?!?</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/24215777511/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="#2 Wigwam Village (4)"><img alt="#2 Wigwam Village (4)" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1594/24215777511_5e7215d3b7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<b>From their website:</b> <i>Wigwam Village Inn #2 is the most unique motel in all of Kentucky. It celebrated 60 years of colorful history in 1997, and staying there will be an experience you will never forget.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/24215783121/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="#2 Wigwam Village (3)"><img alt="#2 Wigwam Village (3)" height="384" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1473/24215783121_9006ac0ecb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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We spent the previous day driving through nasty rain so I was glad to see a bright sun and clear skies the next morning. </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/23930465749/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="#2 Wigwam Village (2)"><img alt="#2 Wigwam Village (2)" height="481" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1614/23930465749_e81dbce86f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<b>From Wikipedia:</b> <i>The diameter at the base of each tipi is 14 feet (4.3 m), and they are 32 feet (9.8 m) in height. Behind the main room of each unit is a small bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower. In 2008, the rooms contain the original restored hickory furniture and a window-mounted air conditioner. There are no telephones to maintain the original atmosphere of the motel, but the rooms do have cable TV and internet access.</i></div>
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<i>Wigwam Village #2 is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.</i></div>
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Thank goodness for the wi-fi! I could not figure out how to get the cable tv working, so we at least had the internet to keep us entertained. The room itself was very drafty, especially around the door and window AC unit. It was an extremely windy night due to a cold front barreling through. There was a small space heater in the wigwam that kept us at a comfortable temperature. That thing was a champ!</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/24190117692/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="#2 Wigwam Village (1)"><img alt="#2 Wigwam Village (1)" height="401" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1524/24190117692_93620e3abf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<b>Staying in Cave City was a treat! </b>We visited <a href="http://visitonyxcave.com/">Onyx Cave</a> for a short, inexpensive tour. Our tour guide was obviously excited about the cave and science in general, which makes an already interesting experience ten times better. Dinner at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g39265-d1575540-Reviews-El_Mazatlan-Cave_City_Kentucky.html">El Mazatlan</a> was HUGE and very satisfying after a solid 7 hours driving. </div>
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After telling my husband of all the fun things we did (and all the fun things still left to do!) we decided that we should definitely try to go back to Cave City, Kentucky.</div>
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& I have to tell you about our visit to Dino World!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-6962528754870072492015-10-21T14:51:00.000-05:002015-10-21T14:51:36.625-05:00Travel: Blue Ridge Parkway with a Side of Asheville<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>Visiting Asheville, North Carolina has been on my to-do list for a very long time.</b> Looking back at some email correspondence between me and a friend, it looks as though I've been thinking about going to Asheville for <b>a solid five years</b>! </div>
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<a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/search/label/Amber">Amber</a> and I finally made plans to make the drive over the weekend. "<i>Fawne does not go anywhere in a straight line!</i>" says Amber. So of course, I decided to do some adventuring along the way and looked for some interesting sights. </div>
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There are plenty of neat things to see in North Georgia/North Carolina area but we only had a small window of time for exploring. I saw that the <a href="http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/">Blue Ridge Parkway</a> lead directly to Asheville and determined that it would be our best bet.</div>
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After entering the Parkway we saw a sign that said <b>Asheville - 53 miles</b>. We can make that drive in NO TIME! ...or so we thought.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/22177258958/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights"><img alt="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights" height="282" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5774/22177258958_19f5b519b4.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
We stopped at the first few overlooks, super excited to see the beautiful scenery.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/21742221524/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights"><img alt="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights" height="282" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5714/21742221524_560d1a2e7f.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/22338970166/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights"><img alt="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights" height="282" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/710/22338970166_7a94e6d673.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Five miles into the Blue Ridge Parkway. Looking at Steestachee Bald. </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/22351915972/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights"><img alt="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights" height="282" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/600/22351915972_2d148b0fd9.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
And then we decided that if we continued to stop at every lookout point, we'd never make it to Asheville.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/22338966826/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights"><img alt="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights" height="281" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5775/22338966826_9f9c757a40.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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We continued to climb in elevation. Ears popping galore!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/21742215594/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights"><img alt="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights" height="282" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/774/21742215594_5dbec95ed8.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
But we made it to the top! The highest point in all the Parkway!</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/22351911192/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights"><img alt="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights" height="282" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/635/22351911192_0a7dc742e8.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
It's about 12 miles into the Parkway, if you enter from Hwy 74. We were not prepared for how cold it was going to be! My phone said it was 43 degrees but with the wind it felt much colder.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/22338962046/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights"><img alt="Blue Ridge Parkway - Highlights" height="281" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5726/22338962046_d076a85bcb.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Hello! The usual touristy photo op.<br />
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Then we had to make the decision to not stop at any more overlooks for the rest of the ride. If my calculations are correct, then the Blue Ridge Parkway added about two hours of travel time to an otherwise 5 hour drive. Still, with these kinds of views, we consider it time well spent! Well worth it!</div>
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<b>As for Asheville...I took a total of ZERO photos.</b> What? We mostly hung out with friends we hadn't seen for a long, long time. Amber and I agreed to return with the intent of doing more tourist-y exploring. </div>
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We did get the chance to try out some AWESOME food! We had tapas at <a href="http://zambratapas.com/">Zambra</a>, drinks at <a href="http://ashevilleyachtclub.com/">Asheville Yacht Club</a>, then breakfast at <a href="http://sunnypointcafe.com/">Sunny Point Cafe</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://wickedweedbrewing.com/">Wicked Weed</a> and <a href="http://theblackbirdrestaurant.com/">The Black Bird</a> get a shout out because our friends work there. (Adding these two places to our to-do list for next time!)</div>
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Asheville, we'll be seeing you again real soon! This time, with a specific to-see list. And more time to explore!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-4280272216021812652015-10-13T07:43:00.000-05:002015-10-13T07:43:41.268-05:00Inktober! - The First Half<b>October is my most favorite month!</b> It got even better when I found out about Inktober in time to participate (usually I discover cool group projects after they started). What is Inktober? <br /><br />Check out this link: <a href="http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober">http://mrjakeparker.com/inktober</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Every October, artists all over the world take on the InkTober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month.</i></div>
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Sounds easy enough, right? It definitely has been. But of course, life gets in the way and I haven't been able to make a drawing every day... just almost everyday. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36vxg7U6kfUDiMGthR9eiNTVIbBA1PsJOnpq6GH0NOwmdWQdpme2SR4DQRhIAjTwKBhCZYIjrDahynMY7xiyfbY3iKv21lMA-rUO9bjD4hHENpahIscoSqNBmO2LaN63zmhAfiQ/s1600/Inktober1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36vxg7U6kfUDiMGthR9eiNTVIbBA1PsJOnpq6GH0NOwmdWQdpme2SR4DQRhIAjTwKBhCZYIjrDahynMY7xiyfbY3iKv21lMA-rUO9bjD4hHENpahIscoSqNBmO2LaN63zmhAfiQ/s400/Inktober1.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pHkei_9h3BCfT1Zv6ZkdY90TBCuldevKsScbGt24sxRnFy-nbXhW4Oxu1xxqKWlORfscPca93E1ryUZj_Rm7CH8Xb9Tv_PKbC9P9GFWY1As5fHtgTwdUXasmLKqxfTqu6_czUQ/s1600/Inktober2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pHkei_9h3BCfT1Zv6ZkdY90TBCuldevKsScbGt24sxRnFy-nbXhW4Oxu1xxqKWlORfscPca93E1ryUZj_Rm7CH8Xb9Tv_PKbC9P9GFWY1As5fHtgTwdUXasmLKqxfTqu6_czUQ/s400/Inktober2.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XVmiVNps1lPeActQpshJsj1dKOmDvPI8N_P4oKlq_doic7l84bK-ZdmvaVX9DLQY5FkJG-TKxS1Zvmy4zzAdK60Oe68dwB67xKyGXrm8FfZmGzjHO4kSi1M9cvdgkvGfiXonFA/s1600/Inktober3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XVmiVNps1lPeActQpshJsj1dKOmDvPI8N_P4oKlq_doic7l84bK-ZdmvaVX9DLQY5FkJG-TKxS1Zvmy4zzAdK60Oe68dwB67xKyGXrm8FfZmGzjHO4kSi1M9cvdgkvGfiXonFA/s400/Inktober3.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3</td></tr>
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I started off with a crystal drawing obsession. And then quickly got tired of them.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj094TioV3-BFW3TDMJDm4H4cTK4DF5hmYULNrqQa0wMU5VgfcClGwJ_RqfXfDNXnOJ7RSL6G1A-LxDYVKqSr1Kj2K4UGW0ezA396HzZyFLRhZN9Fr-bAr-3iNZfdyJ8DBd8dyr-g/s1600/Inktober5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj094TioV3-BFW3TDMJDm4H4cTK4DF5hmYULNrqQa0wMU5VgfcClGwJ_RqfXfDNXnOJ7RSL6G1A-LxDYVKqSr1Kj2K4UGW0ezA396HzZyFLRhZN9Fr-bAr-3iNZfdyJ8DBd8dyr-g/s400/Inktober5.jpg" width="399" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 5</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAQ4znyNNwfNKaGCDausaWm2zyp8GkYIGHBmHy4xtZPKbf7yF5NdgkfL0cvTGlmYbntM93CAkbBVXtJ4mgOBwEs19NUgohXvWEkLM6JPAOPtUHYqnZ8UzSdiQ_uB3NQbDCM_Z0w/s1600/Inktober7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAQ4znyNNwfNKaGCDausaWm2zyp8GkYIGHBmHy4xtZPKbf7yF5NdgkfL0cvTGlmYbntM93CAkbBVXtJ4mgOBwEs19NUgohXvWEkLM6JPAOPtUHYqnZ8UzSdiQ_uB3NQbDCM_Z0w/s400/Inktober7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 7</td></tr>
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I take that back...there's the crystal drawing popping up again.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5kH0vkJqpID7U2B44RuLhWKxX_RRrgGZy2rnmz8UF5iZLYRE8NR7K02Sb83ieoyXh-wYI7V2_J0rc4fpFX_nk4eBpnJr7vhnji7hDC1pI7LKds2Z-mu08NmZ5GsVUcEqFSJNZg/s1600/inktober8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5kH0vkJqpID7U2B44RuLhWKxX_RRrgGZy2rnmz8UF5iZLYRE8NR7K02Sb83ieoyXh-wYI7V2_J0rc4fpFX_nk4eBpnJr7vhnji7hDC1pI7LKds2Z-mu08NmZ5GsVUcEqFSJNZg/s400/inktober8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 8</td></tr>
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Then trying to figure out a mermaid drawing for a commission.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB2pFO-Qmfa_VwzaY5kHB4oz_h3SkNhFQhBZuu5V_lHTz6Yo2tFUzzqtBUwwu_C71LuNiQ7NK76hkqIzIrmlOENaecmlK4TP3ub-QwlozGt3dhjwm8ZiayNBZOUOsadyE2BCqrA/s1600/Inktober10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB2pFO-Qmfa_VwzaY5kHB4oz_h3SkNhFQhBZuu5V_lHTz6Yo2tFUzzqtBUwwu_C71LuNiQ7NK76hkqIzIrmlOENaecmlK4TP3ub-QwlozGt3dhjwm8ZiayNBZOUOsadyE2BCqrA/s400/Inktober10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 10</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQSbx-QovBJgB5H4D1dcIQRFTX7qr4khEpHXPPhkeshWa1oGtjzKw8LDXwpE6Jf-ADBkUtuRwwiS69lus_DbHV7hh4gWvejlxpksjKyLRNgahA1Ym4TeAxkBOec4wXbqzms6jrw/s1600/Inktober12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQSbx-QovBJgB5H4D1dcIQRFTX7qr4khEpHXPPhkeshWa1oGtjzKw8LDXwpE6Jf-ADBkUtuRwwiS69lus_DbHV7hh4gWvejlxpksjKyLRNgahA1Ym4TeAxkBOec4wXbqzms6jrw/s400/Inktober12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 12</td></tr>
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Now it looks like I'm in a <b><i>under the sea</i></b> phase. </div>
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As you can see, I haven't been able to draw every day and I'm not sure if I'll be able to make up for those missed days, but I'm drawing more than usual so that's nice. </div>
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So many artists are participating! If you're on Instagram, check out the hashtag #inktober to see a HUGE variety of styles and abilities. It's always fun to see all the creativity being shared and celebrated. </div>
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Here's the next two weeks of drawing!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-77891414123271475332015-09-14T09:30:00.000-05:002015-09-15T08:50:13.200-05:00Commission: Red Tailed Hawk<div style="text-align: center;">
Being my friend means that if you ask for a piece of art it'll probably take me about six months to complete it. Not because I don't like you, <b>it's because I procrastinate like woah</b>.</div>
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I would like to note that a buddy asked me to paint a red tailed hawk in January. I finally sent him a sketched out idea sometime in April...maybe even May.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/19378692590/in/dateposted-public/" title="Red Tailed Hawk Progress"><img alt="Red Tailed Hawk Progress" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/319/19378692590_0c0e403571.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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The sketch was given the thumbs up and so I got started.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/19380253109/in/dateposted-public/" title="Red Tailed Hawk Progress"><img alt="Red Tailed Hawk Progress" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/19380253109_f741ed4fc1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Cutting this out took a lot of patience. What a lot of work! </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/18944087054/in/dateposted-public/" title="Red Tailed Hawk Progress"><img alt="Red Tailed Hawk Progress" height="499" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/18944087054_7bc2b22668.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Coming along. I took this photo to show a size comparison to my feet.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/19378692540/in/dateposted-public/" title="Red Tailed Hawk Detail"><img alt="Red Tailed Hawk Detail" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/19378692540_d6c1621506.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
A close up of the face in progress. The final touches include the black lines and the color in the eyes. At this point he's looking more angry than regal. </div>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/19380064009/in/dateposted-public/" title="Red Tailed Hawk Progress"><img alt="Red Tailed Hawk Progress" height="381" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/485/19380064009_c81faca3eb.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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The completed piece. It's about 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall. Acrylic painted on 3/4" plywood.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/18944050314/in/dateposted-public/" title="Red Tailed Hawk Detail"><img alt="Red Tailed Hawk Detail" height="334" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/18944050314_bc6cf6df47.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Detail of the wingtip.</div>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/19540463096/in/dateposted-public/" title="Red Tailed Hawk Detail"><img alt="Red Tailed Hawk Detail" height="334" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/19540463096_4247dfb9cd.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Another detail shot. I'm loving the colors of this piece!<br />
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I also love how I was completely trusted with the outcome of this piece. The official commission was: "Red tailed hawk, your style." And that was it. How awesome is that?! I assure you, this is a responsibility that I don't take for granted.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-25985371425076723162015-09-06T08:58:00.000-05:002015-09-06T08:58:19.500-05:00Art Snacks - September 2015<div>
<b>Subscription boxes are all the rage now, aren't they?</b> I mean, a box of cool stuff showing up on your doorstop every month...yeah! Sign me up! But I know I would quickly go broke buying ALL THE BOXES (for example, I'd love to get <a href="http://www.teabox.com/subscription">Teabox</a>, <a href="https://one.mistobox.com/">Mistobox</a>, and/or <a href="https://www.ipsy.com/">Ipsy</a><i>.</i> And my pup would love <a href="https://www.barkbox.com/">Barkbox</a>!) so I had to be very, very selective on which subscription I'd choose. When I heard about <a href="http://www.artsnacks.co/">ArtSnacks</a>, I immediately made up my mind that THIS IS IT!<br />
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<b>What is ArtSnacks?</b> ArtSnacks is a monthly subscription service for the best art products around, providing artists all over with top-of-the-line art supplies.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/20989099550/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Art Snacks Aug 2015 (3)"><img alt="Art Snacks Aug 2015 (3)" height="357" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/753/20989099550_c858a1639e.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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I signed up almost a day before the monthly cutoff date so I didn't have to wait too long for my box to arrive. Thank goodness! I'm so impatient when it comes to stuff I've ordered online. </div>
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When a small box arrived with an ArtSnacks stamp, I quickly tore into it. Everything was carefully wrapped in tissue paper. There were five products inside:</div>
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<a href="http://cwpencils.com/products/swiss-wood-pencil">A Swiss Wood Pencil</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.winsornewton.com/na/pigment-marker?gclid=CN2-ncar4ccCFUQvgQodtdYB9A">Winsor & Newton Pigment Markers</a> (Magenta & a White Blender)</div>
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<a href="http://www.cheapjoes.com/moo-professional-eraser-2-pack.html">A Moo Eraser</a></div>
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& Laffy Taffy!</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/20989097880/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Art Snacks Aug 2015 (4)"><img alt="Art Snacks Aug 2015 (4)" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/738/20989097880_46f5aeec32.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
The magenta marker made me think of tulips so I quickly sketched some. At first I was like, <i>hmm, I dunno...a pencil is a pencil, right?</i> But I found myself thinking, <b>woah, this feels pretty good.</b> I'm used to drawing with whatever crappy pencil I have around, so this was definitely a step up in my usual process. Not to mention, the pencil smells really good! </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/21177240305/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Art Snacks Aug 2015 (2)"><img alt="Art Snacks Aug 2015 (2)" height="357" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/699/21177240305_9eed1857e8.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
The markers are even on the market yet, so ArtSnacks subscribers are some of the first artists to try them out. Neat! I don't have much experience with markers, so I can't tell you how these compare to others, but I did notice a big difference when I went from regular sketchbook paper to the marker paper that ArtSnacks provided. Look at that nice blending! I might just have to get some marker paper and experiment some more. </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/21166954202/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Art Snacks Aug 2015 (1)"><img alt="Art Snacks Aug 2015 (1)" height="400" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5813/21166954202_bbc66892f8.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<b>In conclusion, this was a neat way to spend twenty bucks.</b> I think I'll keep up the subscription as long as I have the extra funds in my monthly budget. I've read some other reviews about how you can just as easily try stuff out at the art store, but if you're anything like me you'll talk yourself out of any extra purchases while you're there. With ArtSnacks, the decision is already made for you. Just be open to whatever supplies you recieve and have fun with it!<br />
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<i>(Disclaimer: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.)</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-54222032310882847302015-08-31T11:07:00.000-05:002016-01-17T11:10:39.969-05:00On Display: Monkey's Uncle, Griffin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wanna know the secret to get your artwork hung in various places? </div>
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<b>JUST ASK!</b></div>
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I think I've tossed out the idea of hanging my work at <a href="http://www.monkeysunclegrill.com/">Monkey's Uncle</a> a time or two. The owner was a friend of a friend and so I'm sure I just added him on Facebook and struck up a conversation with him. This was AFTER I ate dinner there and scoped out the wall space, of course. When the time was right, we both agreed on a date to hang my paintings. </div>
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That seems easy, right? It kinda is. But I also cannot tell you how many unanswered emails I've sent to various coffeehouses & restaurants. For every YES, there's about five NOs. Those are pretty good odds, though. </div>
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If the result is hanging your work in a new popular restaurant in a nearby town, then its totally worth it!</div>
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<img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLudboN2q9JcnR9SwWh-AvK_O53jBCGdhwWRUA3xnyDsqhWL_Z92z1cqX3-14AbormqMTewSTGu7Pn83R4_Du5D3unkiijteAlFn3_eTzcxXoJ1bQWtnQjQzhsxVefnM0L19HIA/s640/MUNC4.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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I hung everything an hour before the restaurant opened. You can see the chairs are still flipped on the tables. </div>
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<img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnnUh-mrZmAjC_oRxeZY75IxCKXdgsHibXjEh2-rn7vc_rg7XdeRMDAazJK43OyZ-37d2Hc_QT0S2VmLB1Xt8lNW5XxW79PD3LorIBqphLgPOkt3iB10Y4A9b0U9CxRJ7UyfRaA/s640/MUNC+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5smTk45xJpd1WmZfWVxlLMN1VukLwyp8wEtUktQ14D4_sqxfVqn6_ndZ3f7OUkAVJs_gAbQQSN4fxQdAs2GSIgLA85wqY371N3xmIV1CRtS8u7PWaxB2iym6oipvoStdBITNDrA/s640/MUNC+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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Just look at how good these look on the red wall!</div>
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<img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHPq3cNjUzSYZl2-6IQFNDwEU4-QKv5A6f5yaiT-MNx_BVBjZEuJ6OnF9_ZPckzOK0G9RqQ2t5b0zB5fMK4paHz4MekvDlzg-o2VyU1Fx2p9RtGu5BynPfHrOLZfvjzLnM8e2Gg/s640/MUNC+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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I sold two pieces! One of the little suns and Cetus, the whale painting shown above. So so so happy to share my art! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-48284982021131348052015-07-06T22:42:00.000-05:002015-07-08T22:42:20.313-05:00These Things I Know: How to Make it in a Small Town<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-yQj8De6ev21ycaC1BmF3Ts9b-ohWVL0Zj0hLEp3VmUvIphTJbMjqhZyRM8QCW_xWIXNOmWAze3WDhjFzQZXmQ4laDIu_mwivGxlquOX8PJkL-UJ39JHf-oWp0WqT7x3wwcRIw/s1600/IMG_3601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-yQj8De6ev21ycaC1BmF3Ts9b-ohWVL0Zj0hLEp3VmUvIphTJbMjqhZyRM8QCW_xWIXNOmWAze3WDhjFzQZXmQ4laDIu_mwivGxlquOX8PJkL-UJ39JHf-oWp0WqT7x3wwcRIw/s640/IMG_3601.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://www.deathtothestockphoto.com/">deathtothestockphoto.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>First things first: "MAKING IT" is totally subjective.</b> Do I think I've made it? Sure, but that kinda varies from week to week. Sometimes the art is flowing and selling and it's all coming up roses, and other days inspiration alludes me and I just can't seem to get my projects done. But I think that's all part of the life as an artist, and if you're fortunate enough to live it, then you learn to roll with the punches.<br />
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Thomaston is located in middle Georgia, about an hour away from bigger cites like Atlanta, Macon, and Columbus. There's a little over 9,000 people living in the city, and about 27,000 living in the county. Of course, "small town" is also subjective but after some casual Internet research I've decided for the sake of my story that small towns hold less than 15,000 people.<br />
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Currently, I have a <a href="http://www.flintrose.com/">storefront studio</a> near the town square. I'm able to pay my own bills with the money brought in from hosting art classes and selling art. Now, full disclosure: I would not have been able to do anything without the support of my husband. He took on the responsibility of general living expenses while I slowly built up my art career, so I'm extremely fortunate to have a supportive partner. I've also recently started working part-time at a restaurant (a story to be shared at a later time). But I think the advice I typed below can be used whether you're married or completely on your own.<br />
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<b>Here are five things I know about trying to make it as an artist in a small town: </b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Join Everything! Make Friends Everywhere!</span></b></div>
Moving to Thomaston after my daughter was born was probably one of the most significant changes in my life. Not only was I a new mother, but I was in a new town where I didn't have a friend to call my own. With social media being in it's infancy (Hello, Friendster!), I had no idea how to make friends that weren't a. co-workers or b. former classmates. I mean, how do grownups make friends anyway?<br />
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Thank goodness for the Internet, really. I spent a lot of time searching for art galleries and art stores in the nearby area. Only one thing popped up: The Thomaston Upson Arts Council (TUAC), a local non-profit that promotes the arts in the community. Perfect, right? Right!<br />
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I read everything I could about TUAC: their programs, their plays, their gallery space, etc. Of course, the gallery space was what held my interest. I composed a quick email, attached a few photos of my work, and anxiously awaited a response.<br />
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Thankfully, TUAC is always looking for more local artists to display so all I had to do was meet with the Visual Arts Chairperson, show off a few paintings, and I had a gallery showing fourteen months after moving to Thomaston. Little did I know, that show would be the first step in a long journey to having my own storefront studio.<br />
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Here's a quick run-through of the next few years:<br />
- Participated in <i>Crazy for You</i> as a showgirl (2004)<br />
- Became the Administrative Assistant for TUAC (2005-2013)<br />
- Taught an art class for TUAC's Summer Art Camp (2007-2008)<br />
- Started attending meetings for the West Central Georgia Shutterbugs (a new photography club) and eventually was voted in as Vice-President (2006-2009)<br />
- Started volunteering for SlowExposures, a photography exhibit (2010ish-to present)<br />
- Helped curate a feline photography show at a nearby book store (2011-2012)<br />
- Opened up <a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2012/01/hello-2012.html">my first art studio</a> (2012).<br />
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Every single one of those opportunites put me in touch with new people who had an interest in the arts and my circle grew and grew.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Give It Away for Free (Barter & Share!)</b></span></div>
We all know the old saying:<br />
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And I wholeheartedly agree! But... if we're talking about the me from a few years ago, I would gladly do projects for free just for the credit...BUT (and it's a big but!) only if it was a project I felt good about. I'd make sure that the project, painting, whatever lined up with what I wanted to accomplish within my community. Non-profit art project? Yep! Decor for a program that benefited the youth? Yep! </div>
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I would even work within people's budgets just for the experience. Say, someone wanted a wall painted but they only had X amount of dollars...I'd agree to it, especially if I had nothing else going on and if I had final say in the design. I currently have a freebie project that I do yearly just because it's fun and I can paint whatever I want (as long as it fits the business' theme). If it fits in my schedule, why not? </div>
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Bartering is fun too! I've done projects for anything from boxes of fresh veggies and homemade pies, to hair services. You have to have a strong set of boundries and make sure that you're not being taken advantage of. Make sure that it's an even trade and it's stuff that you can really, really use. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Promote, Promote, Promote</b></span></div>
It's so easy to just sit here and type DON'T BE AFRAID! If you're anything like me, you're painfully shy and modest. Just talking about yourself makes you ill. I mean, c'mon, I'm introverted as all get-out so it was a HUGE challenge to get out of my comfort zone. It gets easier as I get older, mostly because I believe that in the end, no one really pays that much attention. I've done some majorly embarassing things (just recently: stuttering through a thank you speech in front of hundreds of people), but life goes on, y'know?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promo postcards from 2007</td></tr>
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I used to hand out business cards that just had my name, email, and website. Facebook wasn't a thing so people had to actually go to my website to check out my artwork. But now there's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, you name it...people have it on their phones. Amazing right? Have a card with a photo of your artwork on it and list ALL of the social media links you have. Share all of your stuff on Facebook! Post daily on Instagram! Social media can be amazing for introverts like me. I have a hard time really "bragging" about stuff in everyday conversation, but if you look on my FB it'll show what I've been up to every day. People really enjoy looking at what artists are up to. Posting progress pictures piques interest and gives your audience a chance to ask questions.<br />
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It's also helpful to promote your artist friends stuff too. Lift each other up into the spotlight. Share and share alike, right?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a trip to Baltimore in December 2011.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Get Out of There</b></span></div>
Yes, get out of town everyonce in awhile. Personally, I get antsy if I haven't traveled outside of the county lines in a few weeks. Thankfully, I live inbetween several cities that offers different artistic experiences. I can almost always count on Atlanta (about an hour's drive) to have a really neat artsy event. Getting out of town helps shake it up a bit, check out what's going on in other communities, and you might even get inspired to bring it back to your town.<br />
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Seriously, some of my best ideas are ones I've "borrowed" from other events. Why did I make <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/making-street-puppet.html">a street puppet</a>? Because I was at an out of town festival and saw a friend with her puppet. Why did I want to even open up my own studio? Because I saw some other artists spaces while I was on vacation and wanted a space of my own. Even some of my fundraiser ideas came from events I attended from out of town.<br />
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Even if you can't get out of town due to finances, car troubles, what-have-you, try to "escape" through Netflix or any other streaming service. If I need a little inspiration I watch <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Embarrassing-Wayne-White-Story/dp/B009MBSWBW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1434487247&sr=8-2&keywords=beauty+is+embarrassing">Beauty is Embarassing</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Losers-Ed-Templeton/dp/B003BTMCBW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1434487203&sr=8-2&keywords=beautiful+losers">Beautiful Losers</a>, or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Exit-Through-Gift-Shop-Banksy/dp/B00470MG06/ref=pd_sim_74_17?ie=UTF8&refRID=1DTWVTSSC9PK69WZYTFS">Exit Through the Gift Shop</a>. The list could go on, actually, but these are the first three that popped up in my head.<br />
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It doesn't even have to be an artistic adventure. Sometimes just getting outside your small town and outside your own head does wonders for the artistic soul!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The artist and her gallery wall, Spring 2014.</td></tr>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Keep at It!</b></div>
Oh man, yes, keep at it! My journey is at least 12 years long so far. It takes a long, long time to become "an artist". There are days where I just pout and wish I lived somewhere else (I call them my "Boo-Hoo Days") but someone pointed out that I would just have to start over in that town too. And it would be even harder if there's an already well organized and established art community. That's a whole different set of challenges to take on.<br />
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I'll close this out with a quote from Ira Glass:<br />
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“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. <b>It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.</b>”</blockquote>
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<b>If you're a small town artist, do you have any advice for other artists trying to make it? </b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-6935085231029279872015-06-22T09:00:00.000-05:002015-06-22T09:48:55.589-05:00Art Adventure: Art Gone Wild at Zoo Atlanta<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>On June 2nd I participated in <a href="http://www.zooatlanta.org/home/artgonewild#U-CGK">Art Gone Wild</a> at <a href="http://www.zooatlanta.org/">Zoo Atlanta</a>,</b> a plein air event where artists are invited to paint around the zoo while guests mingle about. I knew right away that I wanted to be stationed in front of the otters so I drove to Atlanta as soon as I could, set up all my supplies, and proclaimed this little corner MINE. </div>
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The otters were awake and <i>OH MY GOODNESS</i> so cute. They would run from one side of their habitat, jump into their personal pond, sqeak squeak squeak with delight, then hop out and run to the other side to repeat. By the time the zoo opened they were ready for their first nap of the day. Kids would press their faces on the glass only to discover the otters sleeping. </div>
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Still, very very cute while sleeping. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/18866602468" title="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta // Otter Painting Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta // Otter Painting Progress" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/327/18866602468_9700f9e139.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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My set up for the day. After awhile I just painted with the canvas in my lap. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/18431747834" title="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta // Otter Painting Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta // Otter Painting Progress" height="500" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3902/18431747834_46e6122895.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Progress. </div>
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Lesson of the day: if you ever want to feel really good about yourself as an artist, show your work to a bunch of elementary kids. They'll think you're amazing and won't hesitate to tell you. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/19048698062" title="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta // Otter Painting Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta // Otter Painting Progress" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/446/19048698062_ece813e7e4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And more progress. By this time of the day I had to move since my shade disappeared in the high noon sun. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/19057453401" title="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta // Otter Painting by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta // Otter Painting" height="251" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3882/19057453401_55eda3769b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And the final product. I nearly completed the painting while at the Zoo but brought it home for teeny fix-ups and sealing.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/18431749284" title="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/542/18431749284_c67b2fc7d2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Here I am with one of my most favorite artist friends, Peter Loose. He is amazing and <b>so</b> productive. A huge, huge influence on my work, no doubt. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/18433597343" title="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta // Golden Pheasant by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Art Gone Wild - Zoo Atlanta // Golden Pheasant" height="395" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/334/18433597343_679518942d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And I knocked out a quick painting later that week based on sketches I made earlier at the zoo. I knew I wanted to paint a golden pheasant once I saw how amazingly colorful it is. </div>
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These paintings, along with all the other artists' work, were part of an auction to raise funds for the zoo and the artists. How awesome it that? I was unable to attend the auction but I was told that BOTH of my pieces sold. Yay! </div>
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I can't wait to do this again next year. I'll make sure to take off whatever work/projects I have going on so I can paint more than just one day. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-35011300442596117102015-06-19T09:00:00.000-05:002016-02-09T09:07:40.789-05:00Celestial Folk Art Series - Cetus & Lepus<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A few weeks before setting my art up <a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/03/on-display-bare-bulb-coffee-warner.html">at Bare Bulb Coffee</a>,</b> I worked myself into a tizzy trying to create enough work to fill the walls. Since I was so focused, I forgot to take a lot of progress photos. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/18712197988" title="Cetus "In Progress" by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Cetus "In Progress"" height="437" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3880/18712197988_1a072e4b92.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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This is probably one of my most favorite paintings. Even in the progress photo, he looks so cute and happy. The canvas is a great size. This one might be pretty hard to let go of when the time comes. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/18900127375" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Cetus Final by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Cetus Final" height="182" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5606/18900127375_914c438b86.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">"Cetus" 12" x 36", Acrylic on Canvas</td></tr>
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From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetus">Wikipedia</a>: Its name refers to Cetus, a sea monster in Greek mythology, although it is often called 'the whale' today. Cetus is located in the region of the sky that contains other water-related constellations such as Aquarius, Pisces, and Eridanus.</blockquote>
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<b>And then here's Lepus, the hare. </b></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/18712474798" title="Lepus (In Progress) by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Lepus (In Progress)" height="500" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/491/18712474798_f0fb4df2c0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Smaller canvases meant I finished paintings faster. Love!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/18894921792" title="Lepus (In Progress) by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Lepus (In Progress)" height="500" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5550/18894921792_716a0af048.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
As you can see on the table, I do use a bit of house paint on my canvases. They're always great for solid, opaque colors. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/18900145225" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lepus Final by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Lepus Final" height="379" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/340/18900145225_aab0fb4857.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">"Lepus", 18" x 24", Acrylic on canvas</td></tr>
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From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepus_(constellation)">Wikipedia</a>: Lepus is a constellation lying just south of the celestial equator, immediately south of Orion. Its name is Latin for hare. Although the hare does not represent any particular figure in Greek mythology, Lepus was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It is located below the constellation Orion (the hunter), and is sometimes represented as a hare being chased by Orion or, alternatively, by Orion's hunting dogs.</blockquote>
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I haven't been able to spot these constellations in my front-yard sky yet, but I'm sure that'll change soon. And I'm in the beginnings of a summer slump, so perhaps I'll get caught up on blog posts. I've been a painting machine lately! <a href="https://instagram.com/fawne/">Follow me on Instagram</a> for all the behind the scenes action. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-28802099144196400252015-06-16T09:00:00.000-05:002015-06-16T12:36:06.405-05:00On Display: Fountain City Coffee, Columbus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My self-dubbed "Coffeehouse Tour" continues! Now my work is hanging at <a href="http://fountaincitycoffee.com/">Fountain City Coffee</a> in Columbus, Georgia. Since they have newly remodeled walls, I opted to only show my largest pieces which could be hung on their hanging system. No need in putting dozens of little holes for the rest of the <a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/fifty-suns-and-moons-project-complete.html">50 Sun/Moon Project</a>.</div>
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<i><b>About Fountain City Coffee: </b>Since the year two thousand and three, Fountain City Coffee has continued to roast the “Freshest Cup of Coffee in the Cosmos”. A cultural vessel on Broadway & 10th in downtown Columbus, Georgia, each cup of coffee begins as the freshest bag of beans imported from across this gyrating sphere we call Dear Mother Earth.</i></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS9q09ovE3ur4OnIz9aNUIDejFViZXg_x6ce2cuTtIBHZ8IK5OEEDgAWX9haE7drXr2CpkzmXs-KuG5DFSXiWZjdHcNu1d9qWZCvp88rIq4vOgIi_WVoE1VzIOMMJULIPxFd_3w/s1600/Fountaincity2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS9q09ovE3ur4OnIz9aNUIDejFViZXg_x6ce2cuTtIBHZ8IK5OEEDgAWX9haE7drXr2CpkzmXs-KuG5DFSXiWZjdHcNu1d9qWZCvp88rIq4vOgIi_WVoE1VzIOMMJULIPxFd_3w/s400/Fountaincity2.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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And of course, I only took this one photo with my iPhone. You can see "<a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/celestial-folk-art-series-pisces.html">Pisces</a>", "Cetus", and "Lepus".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tv55ebyZ8HEEnQat9IlMqAPb8UgPicG6MeQKoDHIBexP4n7zDNQkK2Y_uGIwdm1wXfPvmzc7ZsMQ-ZDBRL1eyeAB6SS7BUrf8a1oLvKL4p1NUM7okEkzx3X-DfAZEiB2Nx52TQ/s1600/fountaincityart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tv55ebyZ8HEEnQat9IlMqAPb8UgPicG6MeQKoDHIBexP4n7zDNQkK2Y_uGIwdm1wXfPvmzc7ZsMQ-ZDBRL1eyeAB6SS7BUrf8a1oLvKL4p1NUM7okEkzx3X-DfAZEiB2Nx52TQ/s400/fountaincityart.jpg" width="365" /></a></div>
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A few days later the owner send me these photos. There's "Cetus", "Lepus", "<a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/celestial-folk-art-series-pisces.html">Pisces</a>", "Capricornus", "<a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2014/01/making-art-new-stuff.html">El Sol</a>", and "<a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2014/01/full-moon-fever.html">La Luna</a>". All paintings are for sale.</div>
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If you're in the area, please stop by for coffee and art! And let me know you stopped by! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-16095040535175542062015-04-30T10:00:00.000-05:002015-04-30T18:35:16.189-05:00Commission: Whale Shark<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at that. I took a little break and next thing I know, an entire month has passed! </div>
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Sometimes breaks are needed. Sometimes I spend my mornings straightening up the studio, making lists, answering emails, and not even worrying about art. Sometimes I just need to set aside a painting to let my mind rest. Sometimes that idea needs to percolate a little longer...<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/17023678738" title="Whale Shark Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Whale Shark Progress" height="401" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7635/17023678738_ef047f6216.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Because there's the idea. It's on canvas. It's alive and real and staring you in the face saying "Finish! Now!" but you've got no idea where to go.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/17185480446" title="Whale Shark Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Whale Shark Progress" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7700/17185480446_2183de2592.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
So the painting sits there. I'm pretty sure it stayed in this state for over a week.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/17210856641" title="Whale Shark Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Whale Shark Progress" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7655/17210856641_075c5f60ac.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Then it gets picked up and you trudge through the yucky feelings. Just make some marks on the canvas, get back to painting, finish!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/17023620668" title="Whale Shark by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Whale Shark" height="282" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7660/17023620668_42e39e4c55.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
And then you do.<br />
Here's a whale shark. A commissioned painting by a long-time internet friend.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/17210784061" title="Whale Shark by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Whale Shark" height="281" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7709/17210784061_7d3376de9a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Acrylic on Canvas.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16588913794" title="Whale Shark by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Whale Shark" height="282" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7584/16588913794_9eb1c11946.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/17003933977" title="Whale Shark by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Whale Shark" height="282" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5445/17003933977_80da1e10e6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
It was shipped off to the land of Oregon. So happy! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-26694420743224362882015-03-17T09:00:00.000-05:002015-03-17T09:00:01.720-05:00Travel: Howard Finster's Paradise GardenMy fondness for weird roadside attractions grows and grows! I'm always on the lookout for new, strange things to see. World's Biggest Doo-Dad? Folk Artist decorates his property? <i>Show me! Show me! </i><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.paradisegardenfoundation.org./">Howard Finster's Paradise Garden</a></b> has been on my to-do list for a long, long time. Some of his pieces are at the High Museum, so I've been fortunate enough to see them in person. But his house? It's a bit out of the way, and never do I ever drive by or even through Summerville. I had to plan a very specific trip and what better time than my birthday!<br />
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Amber and I gassed up her car and took off for a three hour drive to Summerville. Soon the tall buildings of Atlanta faded away to the rolling hills of North Georgia. Drive drive drive...and finally <b>Paradise!</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16646248998" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7596/16646248998_e75aa93b76.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>Fun tip: </b>Don't park in front of this sign. The official entrance is located on the other side of the property.</div>
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<b>From <a href="http://paradisegardenfoundation.org/">ParadiseGardenFoundation.org</a>:</b> Reverend Howard Finster, a self proclaimed “Man of Visions”, Finster was one of America’s most widely known and prolific self-taught artists producing over 46,991 pieces of art before his death in 2001. He saw himself as a sacred artist, tirelessly recording his visionary prophesies and providing glimpses of a celestial outer space world that God revealed to him. These visionary journeys were very real for Finster, providing a limitless variety of images for his creative endeavors.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16646458860" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7596/16646458860_f784b10bb3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>Another Fun Tip: </b>Don't let the high fence fool you! This is a very welcoming place.</div>
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For a moment, we were scared that I had read something wrong on the website and that we drove three hours to a closed garden.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16832749431" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7615/16832749431_4793c99c0f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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We were greeted by a gregarious volunteer and paid a small entrance fee. <i>Two tickets to paradise!</i> We spent the next few hours taking photos all around the property.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16211472744" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="334" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7635/16211472744_4c44f856a0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16832705242" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7621/16832705242_25f8e594a7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16211473564" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="334" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8701/16211473564_4f16fdb38f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Most of Finster's work is covered in Bible verses.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16832707572" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="334" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8588/16832707572_c21626198b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Howard's memorial at the Garden.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16647706189" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="357" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7601/16647706189_526ca14ea7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16832745781" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="333" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8580/16832745781_4ebeb9f3aa.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
A covered rolling chair ramp was constructed to offer handicapped people a view of the Garden. The walls are covered with artwork by Finster and his artist friends. I was excited to see some work by folks I knew.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16213870093" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="334" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8677/16213870093_8d43fa6b3e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The Mirror House stands in the far corner of the Garden. Mirrors line the walls, floor, and ceiling of the house giving me a great opportunity for an awesome selfie.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16647704129" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="334" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7622/16647704129_e4edbf255b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I mean, c'mon...isn't that a great Facebook profile picture!?!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16807954956" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="334" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/16807954956_30af21809c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16213875943" title="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens" height="334" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7593/16213875943_1b254d8d29.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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These photos don't even cover <b>half </b>of what we saw! I took an entire roll of photos with my Holga so I'll upload those whenever I get them developed. Howard Finster's Paradise Garden is definitely worth the trip, especially if you're into folk and visonary art like I am!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-59583940989474334142015-03-12T09:00:00.000-05:002015-03-16T09:08:28.019-05:00Painting on Walls: Another Pooch!<b>Remember <a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/painting-on-walls-southern-pooch.html">The Southern Pooch project</a>?</b> Well I got the super awesome chance to paint another dog on the wall!<br />
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The Southern Pooch's owner's mama (Say that three times fast!) asked me to paint this beloved pet as a surprise for her daughter. I agreed but also wondered how I could paint something in public AND have it be a surprise too...hmmm.<br />
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Luck would have it that the owner would be out of town on Friday so I made plans to get up to the building and paint paint paint!<br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16609160620" title="The Southern Pooch, Part 2 by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="The Southern Pooch, Part 2" height="334" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7596/16609160620_6d8e037bcf.jpg" width="500" /></a></u></span></div>
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I had a small window of time to paint this so there would be no crying, whining, or bratty artist behavior on my part. I had to just get it done and get it done well!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16174200114" title="The Southern Pooch, Part 2 by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="The Southern Pooch, Part 2" height="334" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7637/16174200114_c3d5461ac5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Thankfully it was a beautiful day. A bit chilly so I had to take breaks to warm my hands, but still very calm and sunny.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16795399371" title="The Southern Pooch, Part 2 by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="The Southern Pooch, Part 2" height="335" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7635/16795399371_6ca76a77e9.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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His name is Buddy. Sadly, he crossed the rainbow bridge awhile ago so this will serve as a memorial. He was super fun to paint!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16770662046" title="The Southern Pooch, Part 2 by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="The Southern Pooch, Part 2" height="282" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7613/16770662046_7334fe5ef3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And here we go! I think there's talk of eventually adding more dogs as time goes by. One pooch at a time, right?</div>
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<b>Oh! Let me tell you about small towns:</b> It's hard to do anything and get away with it! So this was supposed to be a surprise for the owner while she was out of town for the day. Turns out, one of her friends saw me painting and texted her about it, spoiling the surprise! All accidental, so what can ya do? It's a small town thing!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-24001922000599903062015-03-02T10:14:00.000-05:002015-03-02T10:14:55.416-05:00On Display: Bare Bulb Coffee, Warner Robins<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Let me tell you:</b> Persistance pays off! I first emailed this coffee shop in September 2013. I got a response a few days later asking if I could wait a few months until they started planning their new year. So I waited and emailed again in April 2014 then set up a meeting in May 2014. The owner, Nikki, enjoyed my work and scheduled me for March/April 2015. </div>
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<br />TWENTY FIFTEEN!?! Why did that sound like SO FAR AWAY?</div>
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And it was...but that's okay. </div>
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Yesterday I loaded up my Rav4 and drove the foggy back way to Kathleen, Georgia where Bare Bulb Coffee is located. I carefully dodged coffee drinkers and laptop lookers to hang my work. While I was tapping nails I was recognized by a local artist (well, he recogonized my work, not <i>me</i> presonally, haha). But still! So neat!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16693710282" title="On Display: Bare Bulb Coffee by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="On Display: Bare Bulb Coffee" height="400" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8640/16693710282_22d4fc8855.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I don't think I've had the chance to blog about some of these paintings. It's next on my to-do list, promise!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16072437614" title="On Display: Bare Bulb Coffee by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="On Display: Bare Bulb Coffee" height="399" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/16072437614_1c05767ece.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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One wall was perfect for the remaining suns and moons from my <a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/fifty-suns-and-moons-project-complete.html">50 painting challenge</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16072433914" title="On Display: Bare Bulb Coffee by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="On Display: Bare Bulb Coffee" height="358" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8609/16072433914_13660ca21c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2014/01/making-art-new-stuff.html">El Sol</a>, <a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2014/01/full-moon-fever.html">La Luna</a>, <a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/celestial-folk-art-series-pisces.html">Pisces</a>, and <a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2014/08/celestial-folk-art-series-cygnus.html">Cygnus</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16072434434" title="On Display: Bare Bulb Coffee by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="On Display: Bare Bulb Coffee" height="357" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8576/16072434434_4b071d3531.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Cetus, <a href="http://www.momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/02/celestial-folk-art-series-canis-major.html">Laika (Modern Day Canis Major)</a>, and Capricornus.</div>
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I'm super proud of the work I've created lately! If you're in the area, please go see it and let me know what you think. :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-61602098136798387132015-02-18T09:42:00.001-05:002016-02-09T09:07:40.800-05:00Celestial Folk Art Series - Canis Major<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Last week I felt a little "off"</b>...just a little tired and I suspected a bit of a tickle in my throat. Next thing I know I'm exhausted and unable to do no more than cough and whine. Being sick sucks. Having a cold is kinda like running at 60% at all times. Not quite sick enough to spend all your time in bed, but still trying to do everyday things and using up your energy in no time. </div>
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Plus, I feel immensely guilty when I try to take some time off for myself. I mean, <i>what's up with that?</i> I have to figure out a way to learn that it's <b>okay</b> to let those messages sit in my inbox just a wee bit longer. It's <b>okay</b> to not want to make dinner. It's <b>okay</b> to just be sick. </div>
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Oh well. I think I'm on the way out of this sickness. I've worked on some new paintings lately and here's the latest.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/15948062554" title="Laika Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Laika Progress" height="400" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/15948062554_bc6d760890.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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First progress shots. Just filling in background colors.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16383167520" title="Laika Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Laika Progress" height="400" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8603/16383167520_18d63dbb76.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Then adding little bits of color here and there. </div>
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And then:</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16382786608" title="Laika: Modern Day Canis Major Detail by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Laika: Modern Day Canis Major Detail" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/16382786608_1308aab8c9.jpg" width="499" /></a></div>
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This painting is based off the constellation Canis Major, or the Greater Dog. It's one of the newer constellations I've been able to recogize above my house. The largest star in Canis Major is Sirius, located in the dog's chest. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/15950246613" title="Laika: Modern Day Canis Major Detail by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Laika: Modern Day Canis Major Detail" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/15950246613_045a7a4dd5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Weee look at that tail!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16384158989" title="Laika: Modern Day Canis Major by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Laika: Modern Day Canis Major" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/16384158989_7456b44d09.jpg" width="499" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16569337442" title="Laika: Modern Day Canis Major by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Laika: Modern Day Canis Major" height="336" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/16569337442_048c4b839f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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The official title is <b>"Laika: Modern Day Canis Major"</b>. Laika is the name of the first dog in space. It's a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laika">heart-breaking story</a> if you're wanting to read more about her. I wanted to pay homage to her and her short life. I do believe she is a Canis Major!</div>
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24" x 36" acrylic on canvas.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-43612109396330253852015-02-04T10:00:00.000-05:002015-02-04T16:05:20.675-05:00"Your Heart is a Muscle"<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16224141590" title=""Your Heart..." Process by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Your Heart..." Process" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/16224141590_f3f50d8be8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
During our <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2015/01/NYE2015.html">New Year travels</a>, I picked up this mannequin hand at an artist's studio. There were more available for purchase, but I bought only one. It seemed like an odd purchase at the time but I knew I had to have it for a project. I've had the line "Your heart is a muscle the size of a fist" stuck in my head and when I saw this hand, I knew I could make it into something more.<br />
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It sat in my studio for a couple of weeks, just waiting for me to get an idea and the time. After having a very sad week, just full of sad news and feeling like I was carrying the weight of the world, I knew <b>I had to make something</b> or else just wallow in my own feelings. Wallowing is a bit of a waste of time, don't you think?<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16225306479" title=""Your Heart..." Process by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Your Heart..." Process" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/16225306479_684e13c989.jpg" width="498" /></a><br />
So I spray painted it with glitter. Lots and lots of glitter.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16224119680" title=""Your Heart..." Process by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Your Heart..." Process" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/16224119680_a0c59810bb.jpg" width="498" /></a><br />
And then started constructing a shadow box for it.<br />
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The rest of the process wasn't photographed. Mostly because I worked on it an entire evening and just didn't think about the camera. I just had to work. Just keep my mind off of <i>stuff</i>. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16385549666" title=""Your Heart..." Full by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Your Heart..." Full" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/16385549666_dbcf3593d6.jpg" width="499" /></a><br />
And here it is. The opening is 4" x 6" and the frame around it is about 6" x 8". I used whatever little trinkets I found a the art store earlier that day and supplies I had around the studio. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16223878348" title=""Your Heart..." Detail by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Your Heart..." Detail" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/16223878348_127b2ea8fb.jpg" width="499" /></a><br />
I wanted it to look aged, so the sides were lightly sanded. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/15791487423" title=""Your Heart..." Detail by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Your Heart..." Detail" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/15791487423_1fcef32a46.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The words are from a <a href="http://youtu.be/pC3IrqUpm9U">Ramshackle Glory song, "Your Heart is a Muscle"</a>.<br />
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<i>Your heart is a muscle the size of your fist,</i><br />
<i>Keep on loving. Keep on fighting.</i><br />
<i>And hold on, hold on,</i><br />
<i>Hold on for your life.</i></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16385547916" title=""Your Heart..." Detail by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Your Heart..." Detail" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/16385547916_c2ab21a96a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Definitely influenced by little <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicho">nichos</a>. I'm starting to think that just mexican folk art in general has become a HUGE influence in my work lately. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16385548136" title=""Your Heart..." Detail by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Your Heart..." Detail" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/16385548136_b6aaf059d0.jpg" width="499" /></a></div>
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This piece sold within a few hours of posting it on my Facebook. Super, super glad to be able to share my work with everyone!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-42064867010732555742015-01-29T09:00:00.000-05:002016-02-09T09:07:40.797-05:00Celestial Folk Art Series - Pisces<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>There's a half finished to-do list in my sketchbook.</b> It's all the constellations that I'd love to paint in the near future. And for most of them, I have NO IDEA of how I'm going to paint them.<br /><br />As for <b>Pisces</b>, this idea came to me from outta no where. I was just doing some routine stuff and BAM! I just saw it in my mind's eye.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16376574715" title=""Pisces" In Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Pisces" In Progress" height="400" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/16376574715_f0f228d2df.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I don't even think I sketched out an idea, I just picked up the brush and started painting. Most of the background and the waves came out perfectly, but the fish...well, I had to step away from the canvas for an evening and work it out in my sketchbook at home.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16188944358" title=""Pisces" In Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Pisces" In Progress" height="402" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8592/16188944358_2cbdd106e6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
It started coming together, though. Like I hoped it would.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16190689387" title=""Pisces" In Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Pisces" In Progress" height="401" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8660/16190689387_c32cf9acc6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Lots of little brush strokes. I don't paint with a completed idea in mind. I just kinda let it <b>BE</b>.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16189195390" title=""Pisces" In Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Pisces" In Progress" height="401" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/16189195390_29bafc0292.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Just following my gut. Adding more and more little details. There are times that I think <i>OH NO I ADDED TOO MUCH</i>, but I try to work through that. Usually I don't have to rework a painting too much. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16188943338" title=""Pisces" In Progress by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Pisces" In Progress" height="401" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/16188943338_43256d64be.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The canvas is sitting on my trusty easel from college.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16375676452" title=""Pisces" Finished by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Pisces" Finished" height="377" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8612/16375676452_b069b933cf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
All finished! </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16376572565" title=""Pisces" Detail by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Pisces" Detail" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/16376572565_786afc3102.jpg" width="499" /></a><br />
Fish one details.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16350599026" title=""Pisces" Detail by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Pisces" Detail" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8581/16350599026_7347db708c.jpg" width="499" /></a><br />
Fish two details.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16374846901" title=""Pisces" Detail by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt=""Pisces" Detail" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/16374846901_d8fa785c74.jpg" width="499" /></a><br />
And star details.<br />
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This will be on display during my show in March and April. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll have enough paintings to fill the walls...and I'm in <b>full freak out mode</b>. Perhaps I can turn this nervous energy into <b>productive paint mode</b>. One can hope, right?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-66783690222933036252015-01-26T09:15:00.000-05:002015-01-26T09:16:29.910-05:00Fifty Suns and Moons Project Complete!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>When I first started painting little suns and moons, </b>I made the joke that I should <a href="http://momentofstars.blogspot.com/2014/09/more-suns-and-moons.html">just paint 50 of them</a>. Make it a whole series, y'know. And look! It became a serious goal and after several weeks of chugging away, I am done!</div>
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Honestly, I'm so proud of myself. Usually I lose interest in things like this and end up dropping it for something new and interesting. But I did it! Yay!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IaK5ptJBwfoI0NLwlghDbl3rbjr6KrJT3xN-eFKPcrkO2tevoUJJrElbnBnfaBt43hLZjfDvmsjiKeb_iyEBCHtIdPymDS5TyzS1L5NochE9fR-bsqty778kyGaZglyRb6CfIg/s1600/SunMoon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IaK5ptJBwfoI0NLwlghDbl3rbjr6KrJT3xN-eFKPcrkO2tevoUJJrElbnBnfaBt43hLZjfDvmsjiKeb_iyEBCHtIdPymDS5TyzS1L5NochE9fR-bsqty778kyGaZglyRb6CfIg/s1600/SunMoon1.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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They look so neat together!</div>
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Almost half of them have been sold or given away. </div>
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The rest are on my bigcartel shop: <a href="http://fawne.bigcartel.com/">http://fawne.bigcartel.com/</a></div>
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Just the other day I thought "<i>why didn't I do a time lapse painting video?</i>" so maybe in the future I'll paint another one and record it. That should be fun! </div>
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My next project is another doozy: <b>40 8x10 owls</b>. Just wait until you see those!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-90027332867357756652015-01-23T11:00:00.000-05:002015-01-23T13:42:39.153-05:00Travel: Southeast Alabama<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Last weekend </b>I took a short trip to my friend's house in southeast Alabama. It's become a tradition that I spend MLK weekend with Amber for her birthday. Before I left my house I looked for some possible interesting roadside attractions on <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/">Roadside America</a>.<br />
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My first stop was the <b>"World's First Drive Thru Art and Antique Gallery"</b> in Seale, Alabama. It snuck up on me and I had to do a quick u-turn. I've heard about Butch Anthony, his Museum of Wonder, and the Doo-Nanny festival from folk artist friends. I think I could've drove down the road to the artist's house, but it was really early in the morning and I kinda chickened out.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16307457556" title="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama" height="313" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8574/16307457556_b0a769b4c5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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The Drive Thru Art Museum was worth the stop! I LOVED it!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16331634671" title="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8651/16331634671_ccdf5b59d3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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It's composed of three shipping containers and full of interesting antiques and art.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16147218239" title="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8652/16147218239_2860f24f79.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16147218959" title="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/16147218959_e27083caf0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Of course, I forgot my regular camera at home so I had to use the camera on my phone. I think I got a few good shots here and there. Taking photos through glass is a challenge.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16147219269" title="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/16147219269_c658d8dbc9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The containers were covered with bits of art on the outside. I wish I had some magnets of my own to leave.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16307458506" title="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7566/16307458506_44810aa036.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
It was a breath-taking collection of curated art and antiques. The sign said DRIVE THRU but I parked and walked around, pressing my hands and face up to the glass. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/15713487613" title="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/15713487613_89df94fa47.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Now I'm wondering how I can do my own large art installation!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16145823748" title="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7528/16145823748_a7c7c4551e.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16331633111" title="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Drive Thru Museum and Art Gallery, Seale, Alabama" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/16331633111_b5bfc52ea3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
A Dollar General sits across the street. Definitely not as interesting. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16146024630" title="Whiskey Bottle Tombstone, Clayton, Alabama by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Whiskey Bottle Tombstone, Clayton, Alabama" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/16146024630_a559256689.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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After Seale, I stopped in Clayton, Alabama where I found the <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/8408">whiskey bottle shaped tombstone</a>. </div>
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<b>From Roadside America: </b>An unusual granite sculpture marks the Clayton Cemetery burial spot of William T. Mullen, who died in 1863. The tale behind the whiskey bottle-shaped gravestone is that Mullen's wife followed through on a threat of posthumous humiliation if he didn't stop drinking. He didn't.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/15710968284" title="Whiskey Bottle Tombstone, Clayton, Alabama by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Whiskey Bottle Tombstone, Clayton, Alabama" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7539/15710968284_780362756e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
There was a collection of coins inside the top of the smaller tombstone. I checked my pockets, found some change, and left my own offering.<br />
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I'll have to post more about my travels to stranges places in the area. About two years ago, Daniel and I took a trip across the state of Alabama and hit several interesting places but I never posted about them. Perhaps I can make it a monthly/weekly thing on the blog?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-74876416609107866032015-01-20T08:48:00.000-05:002015-01-20T08:48:16.476-05:00Making: A Street Puppet<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Puppets! I love 'em!</b> I was brought up with Sesame Street and Muppets and found myself quite fond of large street puppets as an adult. It's been an interest I haven't explored until just recently. After multiple viewings of <a href="http://buy.beautyisembarrassing.com/">Beauty is Embarassing</a> (Wayne White is my spirit animal!), watching an artist buddy prace around in her own huge puppet at an art festival, and seeing a large puppet at the <a href="http://www.wildrumpus.org/">Wild Rumpus</a> in Athens I knew it was something I had to do.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PHQ3dTRM6xM" width="560"></iframe><br />
Please, watch this documentary when you get the chance!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16107429359" title="Making a Street Puppet by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Making a Street Puppet" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8598/16107429359_20ecf8ef63.jpg" width="499" /></a><br />
As with most projects, I start out with a vague idea in my head. I had a little sketch of an angel in my notebook, but other than that, just kinda winged it. The head is made from pink insulation foam from <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/">Home Depot</a>. The hand is styrofoam covered in spackling paste.<br /><br /><b>NOTE:</b> Don't make the hand out of foam and spackle. I just used supplies that I had around the studio. The spackle made the hands too heavy. Just trust me.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/15671153564" title="Making a Street Puppet by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Making a Street Puppet" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7579/15671153564_1d96797b5b.jpg" width="499" /></a><br />
Painting the face. I took the photo with my feet for size comparison. I used pipe cleaners and hot glue for the eye lashes.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16106198740" title="Making a Street Puppet by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Making a Street Puppet" height="379" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7463/16106198740_9f07b4224c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Wings from cardboard. Heart from cardboard and a battery operated string of LED lights. There's a painted hand.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16293560105" title="Making a Street Puppet by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Making a Street Puppet" height="1024" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/16293560105_8591c760f6_b.jpg" width="335" /></a><br />
A friend let me have a backpack frame and I used plastic zipties to attach two pvc pipes to the back. They're duct-taped at the top. This is the basic frame for the body. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/15671154524" title="Making a Street Puppet by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Making a Street Puppet" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7522/15671154524_ef032c0157.jpg" width="334" /></a><br />
Ribbon as hair. There's a halo made from wire and a battery-operated string of lights. This puppet was going to be part of the local Christmas light parade so I made sure to light her up as much as I could. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16106029348" title="Making a Street Puppet by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Making a Street Puppet" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8644/16106029348_8aed344d9e.jpg" width="236" /></a><br />
I used sheer curtains as her gown.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16323699921" title="Making a Street Puppet by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Making a Street Puppet" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7476/16323699921_dde97be597.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
<b>HERE'S ANOTHER TIP:</b> Make sure your puppet can FIT into your transportation. I did not think of this until the DAY of the parade. I had about two inches to spare, but that was after about 20 minutes of wrangling the puppet into the back space of my Rav4.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/15671154564" title="Making a Street Puppet by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Making a Street Puppet" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7514/15671154564_6b873d756e.jpg" width="312" /></a><br />
Here she is all put together. There's a panel of tulle in front of my face. Enough to cover it but I could still see. We estimated she stood at a little over 9 feet tall. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16106197960" title="Making a Street Puppet by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="Making a Street Puppet" height="363" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7539/16106197960_7a2f474596.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I made star luminaries for my daughter and her friends to carry in front of me. And my husband is hugging the puppet because we thought it would be funny.<br />
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Such a fun project! Since she was made of foam and fabric she didn't weigh too much. It was a mild night with no wind so I had very little trouble walking the parade. The hands became to heavy so I had my husband and friend carry them as they walked next to me.<br /><br />As for the parade watchers, they seemed to like it. I heard lots of <i>OOOOOhs</i> and <i>AAAAAAAhs</i> and some <i>EW CREEPY </i>from little kids. But hey, it's all good. I tried it and had fun, that's all that matters.<br />
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I can't wait to make another one!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37928536.post-9531104341450955972015-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:002015-01-13T08:00:09.217-05:00Painting on Walls: The Southern Pooch!<div style="text-align: center;">
As a small town artist, I get asked to do a variety of things. My last project of 2014 was painting a large dog on the side of a building. I was super excited to accept this challenge!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16196429376" title="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7501/16196429376_1df0e0a198.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I didn't design the logo. I only put it on the wall.<br />
This is the first afternoon. I was sure that I could wrap this up in a day or two, but I was totally, totally wrong. Painting on concrete walls is tedious work!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16036493867" title="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7520/16036493867_c0b7054e2b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Ok, I admit: I had a bit of a bratty artist moment after this afternoon. It was taking longer than I thought and I couldn't even reach the top of the dog's head with my small step-ladder. I berated myself for not knowing what I was doing. But this was the first mural I've painted in a very long time...so surely there's a learning curve, right?</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16036493857" title="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/16036493857_f509714d22.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Rainy weather set me back a few more days, but it was enough time to get my head straight and back in the game. My dad gave me one of his ladders and it helped out tremendously.</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/15602468213" title="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/15602468213_185de64f3d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
And it all came together in the end! I'm super proud of this!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16036495527" title="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7552/16036495527_ec5a2f1e02.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I added little footprints on the other side. While I was painting I had several people stop and ask for my business card. So perhaps I'll be painting more murals soon?</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16222320225" title="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia" height="400" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7475/16222320225_0649259795.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The dog's name is Flash and he belongs to the owner of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thesouthernpooch">The Southern Pooch</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fawne/16222320825" title="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia by Fawne D, on Flickr"><img alt="The Southern Pooch, Thomaston, Georgia" height="333" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/16222320825_cc035b5721.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
So much fun!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338865742229196384noreply@blogger.com0