croix is such a saint.

Another one down, like a hundred more with plenty of exaggerations to go. This pretty little girl up here was quite the experiment and very unpredictable - very. Nope, this one here ain't oil like I typically do. I had to expand my horizons and dip my toes in the water of fluid acrylic mixed with water for the pours. Did I enjoy it? Eh, not so sure. The process of working with open acrylic is definitely more difficult, not as rich in color and created a unique texture on the canvas. I'm team oil for sure but with the assignment given, teachers orders I'll obey. She turned out great though and my friends love it, so with that, I believe she's a success. I call this piece, "Croix" for the Caribbean Island, St. Croix. As you know, all of my titles for my pieces are southern and caribbean related terms/names. I know this piece doesn't have quite the Caribbean vibe, but for some odd reason, she looks like a Croix. And by golly is Croix a Saint for getting through difficult process of making her playfully pretty.

day dreaming.

You're jaw has dropped, hasn't it. It's because you took one glance at that beautiful pink building known as the Don Cesar Hotel in Florida, so basically, it's the blushing version of the Great Gatsby. This photograph of the Hotel was shot by a photographer for a wedding. Now, don't get me wrong. I am in love with how my wedding turned out, photos and all, and I wouldn't change a thing, but my gosh, it would have been a dream to have it at this beauty. I loved the softness of the photo yet, it's still so rich in color and bright. I am so in love with this photo. I am such a sucker for buildings with intricate detail and loud colors. I might just be so in love with this photo that I could possibly paint it on a very large canvas this summer. It's very tempting, and I love a good challenge.

I'm still craving doughnuts if you haven't noticed. I think the craving will go away once my Nicolette comes and goes through the happy valley. She arrives on Wednesday and I am so excited to have her for a week like the olden days! Unfortunately, I know we'll be double fisting doughnuts down are throats and now that I've come across this amazing recipe of Myers Lemon Bars, I have another craving to fill. I am ruined.

I've been getting antsy for this southern dinner party that I want to throw either in the spring or summer. I want to go all out and these pineapple/flamingo invitations are pretty amazing. Although they aren't really hitting up that southern vibe, I'm still drooling over them.

These photos are just a few of my favorites pinned on pinterest lately. Not that you care, which I'm sure you probably don't; I have this weird thing for adoring the layout of pretty photos all in a row. If you'd like to follow me on pinterest, take a gander, Rachel's Pinterest

Hope the weekend has been treating you well! We got hit with another blizzard, rah-rah! But no worries because it's true, the Oscars are tomorrow night! Sheyeahhh!

Raw Artists: Discovery Show

I did it! The time has come and gone, and I can now breathe again and continue with my fine art studies! The show was a hit. I will say, I definitely, stand out like a sore thumb when it comes to the art world. Don't get me wrong, artists are awesome but they are hands down some of the most interesting people I've come across. That's a polite way of putting it, yes? To them, I am by far the weird one. That's okay though, better to stand out then blend in with the rest of them, right?

Thursday was the longest day of my life. I showed up to the venue in Salt Lake around 3:30 to set up. I of course, being new at all of this, was very naive with how this was all gonna go down and wasn't as prepared as I thought I was. You see, we were given very little space on the wall for each artist to hang their paintings. Sadly, I had to put a few paintings back into the car and couldn't display them. As for the ones that I could display, I realized I had a wee bit of a problem. The venue has asked us not to hammer nails into the wall to hang, so Raw Artists set up a long metal like fence along the walls to hang our paintings off of with S Hooks. No problem, I had the S Hooks ready to go, until I realized that, I have no wire hooked onto the back of EVERY CANVAS to hang the S Hook from. Holy mother of pearl. Where I have been this whole time? So running out of time, and still needing to get my interview done as well as my photo shoot before the show, I booked it to the nearest Home Depot... which I never found because I know nothing about Salt Lake and I still don't fully understand the grid system having lived here for about six years nows. I've got some problems. So now I am panicking. I am sure you're not surprised. Well, I think heaven sent this artist who was setting up next to me because he saw that I was having some major issues and whipped out a tool gun, nails, s hooks, wire, the whole freaking shabang. Bless his heart, and bless mine! So once everything was squared away and set up, off to the interview I went.

The interview wasn't bad at all. That was the one thing I was so nervous about! I mean, I talked to myself in the shower before hand, practicing what I was going to say and how I was going to deliver it. Honestly though, I really played up this whole event and if anything it was really low key, comfortable and fun. I don't know what all of my fuss was about.

No, I didn't sell any paintings. I didn't know we could. There's my naiveness coming out again. Artists next to me where selling left and right, but hey, I have nothing to sell because everything on display is due in about two weeks for midterms! So if anything, I'm begging, "please don't touch this, I've shooting for an 'A'." No, really though, I had business cards with my etsy shop, but it's not like anything on my shop is really what I want to pursue. Im heading straight for the abstract work, and none of that is ready to go yet. With that said, I plan on launching  a series of original abstract works for sale come spring and summer, and with dedication I am really excited! So do stay in touch!

With all of that said, I just took the night as great experience, being the first art show, I was able to get a feel of how it all goes down, how to better prep and prepare for future shows and to see how the ball drops. I was relaxed and just really enjoyed the long evening that lasted until midnight. I socialized with so much family and friends that came to support me, which I honestly deeply appreciated and I really hope they were entertained and had fun! I always get so paranoid when people have to pay for something and then show up and are let down. I don't want to waste anyone's money here. But the gesture of them coming and showing me their support and enthusiasm was what made my night. They made me feel like I was really important. I appreciate the Zoo taking all of these photos through out the night. He was one heck of a trooper. I do believe, he was secretly enjoying himself. All in all, it was a successful night, one to remember and be proud of, for sure. And one that also ended with me, flying solo through the In-n-Out drive through at 1:30 in the morning ordering the number five combo and not giving a crap about it.

to the gallery we go!

Well, today is officially the day! Packing the car with all my work, keeping my fingers crossed that it will tickle at least someone's fancy, and whatever happens, nothing will get me down! For being my first art show, I'm taking it pretty seriously in the sense that I am so nervous I could puke. I don't know why, it's truly not a big deal. I just need to be confident about what I do and present it poise! All I ask is to just wish me the best of luck. Please oh please oh please. 

im a swooner for the brooches.

Good gosh, doesn't this look so deliciously delightful? Everyone I think, to a certain degree has their own "trademark" if you will, or pieces that suit them individually. For me, I admire gorgeous costume necklaces, but I sadly don't fancy wearing them. I wish I enjoyed it, but there is something about a necklace just sitting on my chest and cutting into the neckline of my shirt that drives me crazy, physically and visually. But when I see other girls wearing necklaces that I adore I see how lovely it can look. But I just can't do it. I buy necklaces, don't get me wrong. But I mostly do it for all of the wrong reasons. Don't tell the zoo. Esthetically necklaces, especially intricate and costume like ones are so deliciously beautiful and in some way or another, it becomes a piece of decor. Almost like a statue, that I would love to just frame and display in a beautiful glass box. Kind of like you see, all of the time in J.Crew with their luscious Collection pieces. It's like walking through a museum of delicate art. So, I don't stop myself from collecting necklaces because in all honestly, I just love to adore and look at them in my spare time.

So since I don't wear them as often as I'd like, (which I do wear them on occasion) my go to signature piece of jewelry would be that of vintage classic brooches. You can't get me to swoon and bat my eyes over anything else other than brooches. I love to collect them, and yes, I do in fact wear them. I wear them so often, that I've had many of the Zoo's guy friends call me "The Brooch Lady." Whether that's a compliment or not, I'll take it and own it with confidence and pleasure. One of the Zoo's friends justifies my broochness with the fact that I'm southern. Sure, why not? Really though, brooches are so chic, classy and timeless and I can't help but think of my Grandma. Good fashion can't go to waste so I've inherited a few of hers, and my mom and I go vintage shopping all of the time to find the most unique brooches.

I used to think my collection, which is still small and growing, was rockin' but when I view these pretties, I realize a lot of work has to be done and spring and summer are gonna creep up on me sooner than I realize so I've gotta get going and add to the collection! Sadly, I just envision myself as a really old lady being out of control with my looks, classy looking nonetheless, but still stylish and I want my grandkids to have field days looking through my jewelry and viewing it as treasure! I know that's what I sure did as a kid! I look at brooches as though they are heirloom, and I intend for my future children and grandchildren to look at them that way as well. What's your signature trademark?

i love what i do.

It's true, and I am so happy to say it: I love what I do. Though times become ruts and paintings don't satisfy me and I drool over other's works and question mine; I do see my progression since High School and I know I can't be too hard on myself. Despite the criticism of the positives and negatives, no matter what, I love what I do. It will be a part of me for the rest of my life. I don't plan on giving it up because I gave it a go as a child and I was forever changed. It's interesting to see the progression of my painting styles change through out the years and no matter what, I continually hold an individual and solid love for each piece I have created. I am grateful to still be in school and have the advantage of forced time out of my days of the week to focus on my paintings. I know when school comes to a close, I'm going to have to really force myself to stay clear of distractions and the easy laziness we can all be overcome with. Time shall not be wasted.  Painting makes my life happy, and I constantly feel that I am always surrounding myself with beauty, color and liveliness; ought that the way things should be?

Any hoo, the first abstract painting of my next series is finally finished and shown above. I call it "Le Boulevard." I love creating titles for my work. It completes it and gives life to my paintings. They finally become something, somebody, they finally hold importance. It just makes me giddy. I hope you find some sense of happiness with my artwork, that's all I care to do is at least make those smile and find beauty in them. Happy Presidents Day! Hope your break from school, work or whatever it may be was well spent.