He thinks that you can't.
Hehehe. There he is. This is my cat. No matter what craft I'm doing, painting, drawing, sewing, he is right by my side, or in my lap, or on my back. He loves me. :)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
RACE: It doesn't matter what color your skin, we all bleed the same
This painting was inspired by a recent event that took place in our community. From what I understand, a Caucasian mother and her son were getting out of their car at a shopping center parking lot when they were jumped by four African American woman and assaulted. The four woman yelled racial slurs at this woman while they attacked her. I was not there so I can not report on the entire story, however, we all know that racism is as present today as it was years ago. I just don't understand how somebody can hate and go as far as assault someone else that they have never met just because of their skin color...or sexual orientation, religious beliefs, political views, etc.
Why are we so cruel to one another?
This makes me very sad. I feel like we should be a much more tolerant society in 2012. We should be advancing, showing each other compassion and empathy. Why hasn't hate and intolerance been wiped from the world yet? We can cure disease, clone animals, and grow organs, but we can't stop hate. It is pathetic. We are weak and lazy when it comes to tolerance. We should all be ashamed of our societal behavior and our continued failure to change it.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Hard time saying goodbye
The Velveteen Rabbit is my favorite children's book. Even at the age of 100 (I'm now counting my age in elf years), I will grab my worn copy with the coffee cup stain on the cover and snuggle up in a chair to read it. As a child, this story made perfect sense to me. Of course the bunny was real. All of my stuffed friends were real. My Teddy was just like the velveteen rabbit, he was with me always. I talked with him and fed him the same snacks that I ate and I protected him. I projected many human traits on toys, appliances, and objects as a child. In my world, everything had feelings and emotions.
When I find a copy of the book The Velveteen Rabbit, I want to snatch it up and take it home with me. I know that this isn't reasonable, I mean how many copies can you have of one book, but it is almost like the book itself has feelings and I want to save it from any impending doom it might have to endure. If the book is used, I will most certainly buy it.
Recently I came across a used copy that was all but destroyed. The binding was torn, the pages were falling out and some were missing, and the cover was worn. The book was tired. I posted it to my etsy account figuring that I could at least salvage the cover to be used as an e-reader cover, somebody out there was bound to love it and would take care of it. It sold almost immediately, I made the cover and when it was finished, I didn't want to let it go.
I know I'm a little strange, but I hope that they love him as much as I would.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Untitled
Charcoal.
I love you and I hate you.
I love you for your deepest black against the white of paper. I love your ability to cover large areas quickly, and I adore your square sticks that don't roll off of my desk. I love your rough edges, and smooth strokes. You are bold and heavy, yet soft and subtle...you are drama.
I hate you because you are dirty.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
abstract watercolor
Took a break today and played with some watercolor...
It's been a while since I've done watercolor. I definitely enjoyed it. Hope to finish this tonight.
Thanks for peeking. :)
It's been a while since I've done watercolor. I definitely enjoyed it. Hope to finish this tonight.
Thanks for peeking. :)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
GOALS FOR 2012
Listed below are my goals for 2012. I have the year to reach my goals before reevaluating them. Ready. Set. Go.
1. Work with my partner, to establish Nest Interiors as the go to showroom for the best products and interior design services in Buffalo, NY
How?
-That's our secret. :)
2. Triple sales through my Etsy shop.
How?
-Responding quickly to requests and customer needs
- Put this years sales back into marketing/advertising.
-Reach out to popular blogs for interview/mentions.
-Create new products. Setting aside time each week to explore ideas.
-Bring items to local stores/markets for sale.
3. Read 14 novels this year.
How?
-Join a book club for interesting recommendations, wonderful conversation, and friendships with like-minded people.
4. Learn and create street/urban paintings. Large Scale
How?
-YouTube tutorials
-Setting up studio in basement to allow for throwing, splashing, dripping of paint on canvas.
-Not being afraid of making a mistake. Experimenting.
5. End of year goal weight...115 lbs.
How?
-Continue speed walking in mornings.
-Portion control.
-Being aware of calorie intake.
-More sex ;-)
-Drinking more water
6. Finish refinishing the hallway staircase.
How?
-Take a few days off during the year and dedicate those days to only working on the stairs.
Each year I write my goals on our kitchen wall so that I have them in view as a reminder of where I want to be by the end of the year. It works well.
If you have any goals or ideas for me on how I can better meet my goals this year, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! :)
Happy New Year!
1. Work with my partner, to establish Nest Interiors as the go to showroom for the best products and interior design services in Buffalo, NY
How?
-That's our secret. :)
2. Triple sales through my Etsy shop.
How?
-Responding quickly to requests and customer needs
- Put this years sales back into marketing/advertising.
-Reach out to popular blogs for interview/mentions.
-Create new products. Setting aside time each week to explore ideas.
-Bring items to local stores/markets for sale.
3. Read 14 novels this year.
How?
-Join a book club for interesting recommendations, wonderful conversation, and friendships with like-minded people.
4. Learn and create street/urban paintings. Large Scale
How?
-YouTube tutorials
-Setting up studio in basement to allow for throwing, splashing, dripping of paint on canvas.
-Not being afraid of making a mistake. Experimenting.
5. End of year goal weight...115 lbs.
How?
-Continue speed walking in mornings.
-Portion control.
-Being aware of calorie intake.
-More sex ;-)
-Drinking more water
6. Finish refinishing the hallway staircase.
How?
-Take a few days off during the year and dedicate those days to only working on the stairs.
Each year I write my goals on our kitchen wall so that I have them in view as a reminder of where I want to be by the end of the year. It works well.
If you have any goals or ideas for me on how I can better meet my goals this year, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! :)
Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
2011 in review
I am not one to celebrate the New Year, after all, it is just another day. I do however use this time of year for reflection and refocusing, to look back, make some changes, and move forward.
2011 Year in review: Goals set, were they met?
1. Establish an Identity as an Artist
Accomplished.
I spent a large part of my time this year dedicated to creating my identity as an artist. nikkiMdesign now has a logo, an online store, a blog, and has reached and sold to customers outside of the community.
2. Be more aware of my mood and my environment
Accomplished.
In 2010 I was diagnosed with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and social anxiety disorder and began treatment immediately. Within six months my overall health improved; I became more mentally stable and the anxiety symptoms lessened. I assumed that sometime during 2011 I would be able to come off of my meds and be "healed". When the doctor explained to me how the treatments worked and that it would be premature for me to stop taking the medicine because I would most likely suffer a set back, I was a little disappointed but understood. Instead, 2011 became an opportunity for me to work with my doctor to learn about myself, what some of my anxiety triggers are, and how to feel the fear and do it anyway. I can't expect the medicine to do all the work, I have to help me. Some days I do well, some days I do not, but mostly, I'm learning and moving forward.
3. Take Commissions
Accomplished.
This goal ties into the one above. For years I didn't think I was a good enough artist to put myself out there and offer services to create art for somebody else. The idea of that scared the pants off of me. I worried that I might fail, or worse yet, succeed. What if they hated what I did? What if...what if...what...blah, blah, blah. This year, I just did it, and to my surprise not only did people pay me to do it but they liked what I did.
4. Design a professional Interior Design project
Accomplished.
After I graduated in May, I started working as an interior designer with Brooke at Nest Interiors and I have been designing kitchens, living rooms, commercial projects, etc.
5. Complete a Professional Rendering
Accomplished.
Completed renderings and have had repeat business.
6, Illustrate children's book
Not yet accomplished.
My wonderful husband took my idea for a children's book and wrote it. It is a lovely story and he did a fabulous job, however I have not yet had the extra time to illustrate the pages. I think that this is a project that may have to wait for another 6-12 months before I can even consider putting it onto my goals list.
7. Finish staining the staircase and restoring the tiled bathroom floor
Not yet accomplished.
These are two very big jobs that are not finished, however there has been a lot of progress on both over the last year, and I did finish the upstairs built-in cabinet and bench seat that were started at the same time. I don't know if I would categorize this as a not yet accomplished but rather almost accomplished. :-P
8. Lose 10 lbs.
Not yet accomplished.
Meh, I hate this goal for all sorts of reasons, but the biggest reason is because it is one of those cliche resolutions. Anyway, I did not achieve this one, and to be honest, I gained about 5 lbs this year. I think part of the problem was that I was vague in defining this goal. Rather than saying that I should lose 10 pounds, I should have given myself a target weight to work toward. This goal will (unfortunately) make it onto my 2012 list.
All in all, I am pleased with my goal progress for 2011. I have thought about my list for 2012 and I it is almost complete. I will share what those goals are soon.
Happy new year to all!
2011 Year in review: Goals set, were they met?
1. Establish an Identity as an Artist
Accomplished.
I spent a large part of my time this year dedicated to creating my identity as an artist. nikkiMdesign now has a logo, an online store, a blog, and has reached and sold to customers outside of the community.
2. Be more aware of my mood and my environment
Accomplished.
In 2010 I was diagnosed with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and social anxiety disorder and began treatment immediately. Within six months my overall health improved; I became more mentally stable and the anxiety symptoms lessened. I assumed that sometime during 2011 I would be able to come off of my meds and be "healed". When the doctor explained to me how the treatments worked and that it would be premature for me to stop taking the medicine because I would most likely suffer a set back, I was a little disappointed but understood. Instead, 2011 became an opportunity for me to work with my doctor to learn about myself, what some of my anxiety triggers are, and how to feel the fear and do it anyway. I can't expect the medicine to do all the work, I have to help me. Some days I do well, some days I do not, but mostly, I'm learning and moving forward.
3. Take Commissions
Accomplished.
This goal ties into the one above. For years I didn't think I was a good enough artist to put myself out there and offer services to create art for somebody else. The idea of that scared the pants off of me. I worried that I might fail, or worse yet, succeed. What if they hated what I did? What if...what if...what...blah, blah, blah. This year, I just did it, and to my surprise not only did people pay me to do it but they liked what I did.
4. Design a professional Interior Design project
Accomplished.
After I graduated in May, I started working as an interior designer with Brooke at Nest Interiors and I have been designing kitchens, living rooms, commercial projects, etc.
5. Complete a Professional Rendering
Accomplished.
Completed renderings and have had repeat business.
6, Illustrate children's book
Not yet accomplished.
My wonderful husband took my idea for a children's book and wrote it. It is a lovely story and he did a fabulous job, however I have not yet had the extra time to illustrate the pages. I think that this is a project that may have to wait for another 6-12 months before I can even consider putting it onto my goals list.
7. Finish staining the staircase and restoring the tiled bathroom floor
Not yet accomplished.
These are two very big jobs that are not finished, however there has been a lot of progress on both over the last year, and I did finish the upstairs built-in cabinet and bench seat that were started at the same time. I don't know if I would categorize this as a not yet accomplished but rather almost accomplished. :-P
8. Lose 10 lbs.
Not yet accomplished.
Meh, I hate this goal for all sorts of reasons, but the biggest reason is because it is one of those cliche resolutions. Anyway, I did not achieve this one, and to be honest, I gained about 5 lbs this year. I think part of the problem was that I was vague in defining this goal. Rather than saying that I should lose 10 pounds, I should have given myself a target weight to work toward. This goal will (unfortunately) make it onto my 2012 list.
All in all, I am pleased with my goal progress for 2011. I have thought about my list for 2012 and I it is almost complete. I will share what those goals are soon.
Happy new year to all!
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