Sunday Sketchbook

A few pages from my sketchbook:

Working on an idea for the cover of a friend's fat-positive zine. 

Just a gal with a pearl earring. I had fun just scribbling and making a red pencil mess.

Studying poppies for a bigger drawing.

Working on an idea for a skateboard I'm going to paint and donate for an Atlanta fundraiser.

Lots of arty fun in the works! I'm super pumped about updating the blog more often!

City Exploring - Day 3

By day three, I admit I was tired. After dealing with traffic the two days prior, I was OVER IT. I just wanted to stay at my dad's house and watch tv and take a long shower. But I talked myself into visiting some places slightly outside of the city, and I'm glad I did.

My first stop was the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn, Georgia. Definitely hard to miss from the road, this place is magnificent! I was greeted by several very nice volunteers throughout the entire visit. I stopped at the gift shop to purchase an audio tour and made my way inside the mandir. There was no photography allowed inside, so this is the only photo I took.

I can honestly say that the inside of this mandir has to be the MOST beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. And by the end of the tour, I made a note to myself to look for books related to Hindu art and architecture.

Next on my list was the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts. When I was a young teen, I was a big fan of Tupac Shakur, so when I heard there was a statue and fountain dedicated to him in this part of Georgia I knew I had to visit.

But it was more than just a fountain and statue. In fact, there was an entire building dedicated to bringing the arts to the children in the area. Since I work at a non-profit arts council myself, I could definitely support that! I talked to an administrative assistant and witnessed a class in progress. I'm always willing to hear how other arts groups try to help out their community.

Another thing on my weird "to see" list was the Walmart Mausoleum. It was a quick visit, all you could do was walk around the building and snap a picture, but I marked it off the list.

Roadside America says: The ancestral Crowley Family cemetery survived the 1963 construction of a mall and parking lot, and subsequent Wal-Martinizing of the landscape. Sometimes called the "Tomb of the Unknown Shoppers."

Then back to the city before picking up my daughter at Georgia Tech. When I discovered that the next item on my "to see" list was unexpectedly closed, I went searching for a coffee shop. I found the lovely Honey Bubble on Ponce de Leon. I got a lavender green tea and indulged on three different macarons. YUM YUM YUM!

As for Day 4...I finally gave into my exhaustion and just took a nap for most of the morning. 

City Exploring - Day 2

Day Two was spent at the High Museum of Art. After eating breakfast at a nearby coffeeshop, I slowly rambled my way up the street, excited to experience the museum without time constraints. 

One of my most favorites places in the city. Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis was a nice, small exhibit and I loved being able to get up close to the paintings to see brushstrokes. Girl with a Pearl Earring was a delight to see up close and personal!


I didn't take many pictures inside. I did get this shot because I loved her profile and how her hair was fixed. I thought it could be good reference in a drawing one day.


Now this painting is huge! It's my most favorite inside the entire building and I love seeing it every time I'm there. Dragon by Anselm Kiefer, 2001.


Just a shot of some graffiti on the Georgia Tech campus. For a minute I thought it said "Take a KID" and I wondered why would anyone want to take a kid? Haha. A nearby lady asked if it said TAKE ACID and I was like, OOOOHHHH, that makes more sense.

My Day 3 post coming up soon!

City Exploring - Day 1

This summer has been a hectic one, so I'm taking some time for myself to explore the creative and historic places of Atlanta. My goal is to recharge my artistic passion by taking in the sights and sounds of the city. This is a solo trip, so I'm taking my time to just breathe, see, and take it all in.

It all started with breakfast at Octane, and reading Kitchen Drawer.

Then I visited the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. I've been trying my best to expand my knowledge on historical events around the South, especially when it comes to civil rights.

The inside of Ebenezer Baptist Church is beautiful. It blows my mind to think about all the emotions this place has contained throughout the years.

Next up was the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum to learn about one of our former presidents. I am sad to say that I didn't know much about him at all, but after visiting the museum I'm much more well-informed. I grew quite fond of this wife, Rosalynn, after reading about her compassion and her mental health advocacy. This photo was taken in the gardens behind the center.

There is a replica of the Oval Office inside the museum. How cool is that?!

My stomach started rumbling soon after the museum visits, so I stopped in Little Five Points and ate at Elmyr. Chicken tacos and a beer! Yummy!

Other places on my to-done list is: Young Blood Boutique, Mint Gallery, Wonderroot, the Krog Street Tunnel, and 54 Columns Park.

Photos edited with the A Beautiful Mess app.

More from the ATL soon!

Crowdfunding with the Best of 'em!

Lately, I've been kicking around the idea of starting a crowdfunding campaign to help with buying supplies for the classes/workshops I want to host at my studio. I also have dreams of hosing open mic nights, artists hang-out sessions, and other super fun events there. But of course, this takes money and with the amount I've already spent on upgrading the space, my pockets are bare.

I've been watching other's Kickstarter/Indiegogo videos for inspiration and discovered that I know a few creative folks already in the middle of their own campaigns. Here they are:

My town's movie theatre needs help! My studio is located right around the corner from The Ritz. I think losing this beautiful place would be detrimental to the town square. 

My buddy Chad is always full of great ideas!

This neat place is located in a nearby town. It's a wonderful idea and I wish them the best. 

Then over here on Indiegogo is one of my favorite gals: Sage. She's amazingly gifted and creative and such a huge supporter of anything DIY. 

If you happen to have a few bucks to donate to any of these great campaigns, please do it asap. Then keep and eye out for my upcoming video in the next few weeks.
Do you have a crowdfunding project? Please share your link in the comments below!