Clearly-Creative

New Paintings & Gallery Stroll SLC

2012-02-04T15:01:00.001-07:00

Show coming up for February! Gallery Stroll Salt Lake City details here.

Friday, February 17th, 6-9pm

752 E 6th Avenue Gallery and Frame Shop

801-359-4604

Hope to see you there!

Here are some paintings that will be included:

"At the Table"

"Priestess"

"Shapes"

I've got two large paintings in the lineup, but they're not quite ready yet. I shall post an update when they are finished.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mel

Do or Do Not, There is no Try

2012-01-15T19:08:00.002-07:00

I've a confession to make.

I'm not very good at blogging.

Why? I'll be honest:

I would rather be {painting or sewing or sculpting or listening to music or dancing or designing or going for a walk or drawing or playing/singing jazz} than blogging.

But, like someone wise said, if I don't document it, it never happened. I know I made it, but no one will ever see or hear it to enjoy it. This is really sad because I think there are some people out there that might like what I make.

So, I'm going to post to the abyss that is called the internet one of my goals this year:

Share my Time and Talents

I think I'm off to a good start! I've got a show scheduled for February for my city's Gallery Stroll.
Third Friday of the month.
Oh yeah.

On top of that, I will post here more often.
Double yeah.

Cheers!
Melanie

Merry Christmas from Rita & I

2011-12-26T14:26:00.005-07:00

I gave my pet rat, Rita, a gift bag for Christmas.

She already fell asleep in it.

I got lots of socks and lots of hugs.

Thank you!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Winter Solstice!

Happy Celebration!

Here's a hug from me to you:

{(H U G)}

Would you like to take a Survey?... No?

2011-12-24T19:42:00.002-07:00

I'll take one for you. Feel free to copy this 'survey' and post all your answers in my comments section...I'd love to hear them!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? brown paper tied with pretty ribbons.

2. Real tree or artificial? I'm happy to have a tree :)

3. When do you put up the tree? I put it up after Thanksgiving sometime. I'm not picky.

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years-ish? Again, I'm not picky.

5. Do you like egg nog? Soynog!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A snow sled and a Moondreamer doll

7. Do you have a nativity scene? I have a small one made from olive wood that I bought in Bethany, Palestine. It stays out on my shelf all year long.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My mom. We are two very different individuals.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Wendy. It's easy to predict what she'll like.

10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Either one, just as long as it comes with pictures.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Flowery, yellow stretch-pants. See #8.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I don't feel that I've seen enough Christmas movies to accurately pick a favorite, but I usually watch Home Alone and I'm satisfied.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November? December? Actually, I usually make my gifts.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? If by recycled, you mean buy-something-old-and-create-something-completely-new-with-it then yes. :D

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Oooo... dark chocolate schtuff. As long as it's corn free.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I LOVE color but I appreciate the simplicity and peace of the white.

17. Favorite Christmas song(s)? Vince Guaraldi's original rendition of "Christmas Time Is Here."

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I would love to travel!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? There's just not enough Christmas songs NOT to know that song, unless you're a Scrooge.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star! No Barbie on the tree please!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? When I was younger, we opened a present from Mom & Dad on Christmas eve and the presents from Santa on Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Consumerism... and Walmart.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I'm happy to have a tree!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Anything completely non-processed and without corn. Did I mention no corn anything? It's a corn-spiracy.

25. Do you have Jesus in your heart this Christmas? I'm doing my very best. :)

Merry Christmas!

Just mousing around, sheepishly.

2011-12-14T20:26:00.001-07:00

"Hey, what's your dream?"

2011-12-13T16:58:00.003-07:00

"... At first, wait, won't get it on a plate

You're gonna work for it harder and harder

and I know cause I've been there before

Knockin on the doors with rejection (rejection)

And you'll see cause if it's meant to be

Nothing can compare to deserving your dream

It's amazing, it's amazing

All that you can do

It's amazing, it makes my heart sing

Now it's up to you

Patience now, frustration in the air

And people who don't care

Well it's gonna get you down

And you'll (you'll) fall (fall)

Yes you will hit a wall

But Get back up on your feet

And you'll be strong and smarter

..."

Jem, It's Amazing

Song writers: Mendez, Lester & Griffiths, Jem

American Golf Gothic

2011-07-18T21:01:00.007-07:00

I was originally asked to do some chalk art and a menu on the wall in a restaurant, but the owner decided to turn it into a full service restaurant--with printed menus. Why? Because people asked for it! The restaurant, Zeb's Again, is a reopening of the former restaurant, Zeb's, which used to be located on Washington Blvd in Ogden ten years ago.

Zeb's Again is located in Toad's Fun Zone, a mini amusement park that features a 9 hole golf course, driving range, mini-golf, go cart, arcade, laser tag, batting cages, and a climbing wall. I cannot begin to tell you how many people stopped by and asked when the restaurant would be opening (which is most likely a week or so.) They missed Zeb's! One person wanted one of their famous salads, another wanted lasagna.

So, due to printed menus, the owner asked me to do some chalk art of the main food specialties:

Okay, now I'm hungry...

The original Zeb's was a Ma and Pa restaurant, so they used the painting "American Gothic" by Grant Wood as an image brand. So, for Zeb's Again, the owner asked for "American Gothic" stylized with a twist: a happy couple with a golf theme to match the location.

Matchy-matchy golf outfits!

The owner was pleased, which means I'm tickled pink... er... green!

FOUR!!!!!

Hey! Take a look at those mountains! Oh North Ogden. Le sigh.

...Aaaaand I'm back!

2011-07-13T18:05:00.006-07:00

Sorry about the absence of posts. I've moved recently due to mold in my previous place of residence. It was pretty gruesome. Then I had some health issues-go figure- but now I'm back on my feet and ready to go. First I'd like to show you my new area of creativity; my desk. I LOVE it. It's so organized and de-junked. It's so CLEAN.

It has a woods-y feel to it, doesn't it?

And, as you can see on my desk, I've just finished painting my magnet board. I really like how it turned out! I painted it with oils, so it's still a bit wet. I can't wait to use it-I'm going to put "THE LIST" on it, ha ha.

Cheers!

Instant Mary-Jane

2011-05-24T08:33:00.005-07:00

I have terrible feet. I've got spurs, bunions, and a dropped metatarsal; all the stuff you don't want to hear about. So, shoe shopping is a scavenger hunt. I can't afford to pay 100$ every time I shop for shoes; even though 100$ usually means better made shoes, which means happier feet. Sometimes the shoes fit, but they don't stay on my feet. So what do I do? I add straps to the shoes! I call it an instant mary-jane. Here are some pics of the process. Be warned if you have a weak stomach: the following could get pretty graphic, i.e. open shoe surgery.

The offending non-committal shoes that don't want to stay on my feet.

The obliging thrift store shoes before surgery.

The shoes after surgery. RIP

Ta Da! Shoes that stay on my feet! Yay!

red flats = 36$ at Nordstrom Rack

red high heels = 6$ at Deseret Industries

I'll let you do the math.

Hidden Treasures

2011-04-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

I cleaned out my hoard of paintings (pictures shall come forth soon) and found this one, hidden in the back. I'd completely forgotten about it, but I really like it. I think I hid it because it's a bit more personal. *gasp! I'm posting a personal piece of art! This is a huge step for me, but hey, one step at a time.

First step: posting the art.

Next step: explaining the art.

I shall call it.... Untitled #4. Er... something. Okay, I have no idea. Dangerous Umbrella Stands? Sure, that sounds good.

General Conference :: Podcast Design

2011-04-20T19:42:00.009-07:00

This is for all you LDS peeps out there, who like to listen to conference on your ipods, iphones, mp3 players and other devices. I had the opportunity to redesign the podcast graphic for the April 2011 General Conference! I'm quite happy with how it turned out.

As you can see, the two images below are for MP3 and HD, but they are also available in SD (Standard Definition), AAC (Enhanced Audio), ASL (American Sign Language), and PDF (Print Document File). There are also downloads for HD, SD, MP3, HD, PDF and AAC in ten more languages! That's a lot of podcasts folks!

If you'd like to download the 2011 April General Conference, it is available for free {here.}

Happy Easter!

Photo {Work}Shop

2011-03-30T21:31:00.017-07:00

I participated in an fabulous workshop with the amazing Duston Todd a bit ago. Amazing people and models! Here are a few of me spoils.

12.

Sketchbook: no. 4

2011-03-14T11:20:00.001-07:00

More drawings! Enjoy.

Turning the Page

2011-03-12T11:23:00.001-07:00

I've done it. I turned a new page in my life. And guess what? That new page is blank. I can start all over!Too bad my cough*studio*cough isn't.. er, blank. It's a mess. I haven't touched anything on my desk in a year. I'm not even kidding.

This is my "studio":

Yikes.

I've got actual fact-ual plans to reconstruct, organize, and use this space. It will be collecting dust for only a shortwhile longer. I almost cleaned it out sooner this weekend because I was getting very frustrated. I couldn't find anything! However, going though all of that would have cost me 8 hours of sleep, so I opted not to.

Here is what I was painting:

It's one of those craft store magnet boards that I got as a gift a long time ago. Its upside down in this photo- just in case you were wondering. I'm just trying to keep you on your toes. :)

I really believe this new "page" in my life to allow me to do more of what I love. I hope you won't mind me sharing the journey!

Sketchbook: no. 3

2011-03-10T11:10:00.003-07:00

I have a prediction that posts about sketchbooks will take over this blog. I don't think there's an end to my addiction in sight. Maybe I have a problem. I should start a group: "Sketchbook Addicts Annonymous." A group show that is. Any takers?

Sketchbook: 2 Out of... I've Lost Count Already

2011-03-08T23:41:00.002-07:00

Yes sir, my sketchbook goes with me everywhere. I've even got abandonment issues. I left it at my brother's house one Sunday after a family function. He lives a good hour away, one way via car-on-freeway. Did I go back to get it? You bet. Of course, that was after I called around, frantically trying to find it. I thought I left it on the train...

So here's my next installment of online, blogging goodness. Enjoy.

Things that make me smile :)

2011-03-05T14:47:00.007-07:00

With a capital smiley face :)

Our milk has spots. Should I be worried?

Maybe I'm low on beta-carotene, but I everything I craved to eat that day was ORANGE. It tasted good too!

A good friend of mine gave me a solar-powered dancing flower.

That's right, it dances in the light.

My roommate has a Dr. Who tardis air freshener in her car. It spins!

This has been an edition of Clearly-Creative's "Things that make me smile."

Thanks for tuning in!

Frosted Ninja Cookies

2011-02-15T22:30:00.005-07:00

I enjoyed frosting these cookies. The color scheme has no real meaning, but if it reminds you of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so be it. Happy Valentines... Ferris Wheel... uh, whatever. Have a great day. Count your blessings and then everyday is a good day, regardless of your current relationship status.

Cheers!

Beads

2011-02-13T23:35:00.006-07:00

Whoa! I think life just happened because I forgot to blog for about two weeks. Funny how things like that happen.

My latest creations have been necklaces. This started in an effort to look more professional. I started by buying some nicer slacks for work, and then some cardigans to mix and match. (I'm addicted to cardigans. Best wardrobe piece ever invented.) I decided that maybe adding some jewelry that I love would just complete the professional look (with my own eclectic flair.) After a bit of searching, I've discovered that I don't like much of the jewelry that's available right now. Most of it is plastic, fake "bling" mixed with more fake plastic... stuff. So, what do I do?

I make me some jewelry!

Wood beads and turquoise, ceramic beads:

I get sooooo many comments on this necklace.

Square wood beads and black beads:

Turquoise beads and red coral beads:

Okay, so I didn't make this one. I found it at a thrift store for 5$ :)

Photos :: Lory, Charles, and Joshua

2011-01-28T19:23:00.003-07:00

These are some pretty stinkin' cute engagement photos, I must say. Must be the people in the photos. :)

Congrats!

Sketchbook: no.1 out of a billion

2011-01-25T10:42:00.001-07:00

So, I've realized that I make a TON of stuff. I'm a compulsive maker of stuff.

ANYway, the next big hurdle for me is my sketchbook. I'm constantly drawing, collage-ing, etc. I don't generally show or post things that I draw because they tend to be a bit more personal. So, I've decided that I will post some of my pattern drawings. They're not quite as personal.

Patterns are awesome.

Blueberry Pie

2011-01-24T20:04:00.001-07:00

I had some frozen blueberries I needed to use, and I was on a cooking kick. Teetering with cobbler vs. pie, pie won. I've never made a blueberry filling before; never had blueberry pie before. I liked it, but I think I added too much almond extract. It was still extremely edible though; edible enough that I had to make sure my roommates got some before I ate too much. I'll have to wait a while before I make another pie. :)

Lory's Jean Bag

2011-01-22T10:21:00.004-07:00

For some reason when I see "Lory" and "Jean" together, I hear, "Norma Jean." Ha.

This is the purse that Melanie made.

This the purse that is made from jeans that Lory wore.

Those were the jeans that Lory loved.

Lory loved those jeans until they could no longer function as a wearable garment.

Lory decided she wanted a purse made out of the no longer wearable garment.

Melanie loved making this purse. Lory loves the purse.

Happy ending!

Jewelry Organizer

2011-01-21T13:54:00.002-07:00

Okay, so I didn't technically "make" this, but I'm not using this item in the usual way: A tiered cake stand used as a jewerly organizer! I got the idea from my friend Laura who absolutely loves her many cake stands. She put her retro jewelry on a wire cake plate like this:

(only hers was black)

I think she also a had a matching wire cover. It was so cute! I thought, why not try something similar? It would get rid of the clutter on my dresser. This is how it turned out:

My dresser looks so pretty now! I highly recommend it.

Gingerbread House

2011-01-19T19:30:00.001-07:00

Yeah, I know its January and all, but I made a gingerbread house, which means I need to blog about it. Just be happy that I got a picture of it.

Detail of chimney on the back of the house. I'm loving how the chocolate-flavored rocks look; however, the taste... well, they're not very good.

Happy Holidays and Gingerbread-houses-in-January!

New Little Friend: Ginger

2011-01-18T06:11:00.002-07:00

I have a new little friend! Her name is Ginger and she is tiny! I got her so that Rita would have a friend, but I think she's a little young to be introduced yet. She's very sweet and she likes people. I'd forgotten how much energy young rats have; she bounces and popcorns all over the place. Never-the-less, I still like her. I like her a lot.

New Year's Resolution

2011-01-17T12:29:00.007-07:00

One of my goals for the new year was to blog about everything that I make. There will be no more quiet side-stepping. No more excuses. So, with out further ado to do about it, here it is: my new bag. I had an old bag that had a previous life before I got it at the second-hand store, so it is just a bit tattered. I based my "pattern" (I never use patterns...) off it and made it quite a bit larger so I could fit my computer in it if I so chose. I used fabric that was also from the second hand store: purple suiting and green, striped flannel. I LOVE my new bag.

My old bag

My new bag!

Did I mention that the purple matches my gloves?

I'll also mention that I've got about 4 more posts to do with stuff I've recently made, so check back soon!

"Wildlife" Photographer

2010-11-07T15:36:00.011-07:00

I have a pet rat. I say this and most people cringe, but I don't understand their reaction. Rita is the sweetest little pet in the world. She's meticulously clean, she's surprisingly smart (she comes when I call) and she likes to sleep on my lap while I do homework. She sitting on my lap while I'm typing right now, preening (or rather, she's preening me.) Did I mentioned she's potty trained?

I think the cringing reaction has to do with the whole bubonic plague thing that happened 500 years ago (which was actually caused by a flea on the rat, not the rat itself,) but people may still think that they're going to get some kind of disease. Well, because of our most excellent hygiene, my rat and I have had no contact with fleas that carry bubonic, so no worries. You're actually more likely to get sick from pet birds, but I'll stop there.

I took some photos of her and they were so cute, I couldn't stop. So then I took photos of my roommate's pet rat. I'm drowning in the cuteness here.

Rita

Kaylee

I think she is saying, "Feed Me Treats."

Sketchbook :: Mechanical Mice

2010-10-18T10:50:00.001-07:00

Robotic Rodents Unite!

Time

2010-10-16T09:28:00.004-07:00

"Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations."

~Faith Baldwin

Sketchbook Patterns

2010-09-27T21:39:00.004-07:00

Sometimes, all I want to do is draw patterns.

It's an addiction that I have no intention of getting rid of.

New Business Cards

2010-09-23T15:03:00.003-07:00

So, what a does a new logo plus a new website mean? It means new business cards! Next time I probably won't put my face on them (even if it doesn't really look like me.) Regardless, I quite like how they turned out.

Herriman Fire

2010-09-22T23:31:00.005-07:00

It's strange that something so beautiful could come out of such a tragic event. My heart goes out to all affected by the fire.

Stuart Fraser Salon

2010-08-19T10:38:00.008-07:00

At the beginning of the week, I was invited to photograph the fantastic style going on at Stuart Fraser Salon. It was fantabulous! I think these photos speak for themselves when I say, y'all look gorgeous! I love this thing called photography, it makes me happy. Oh, and meeting all those new people and making new friends? That's even better!

There were 9 models, and one model had two very different looks.

If the World was a Zoo...

2010-08-12T10:16:00.005-07:00

...Then we'd all be walking around with strollers. I went to the zoo with my mom about a week ago for some parental bonding time. We got to see the baby elephant, walk around inside the potent small animal house, gawk at the rhinoceroses, and battle children for the good viewing spots.

And who could not love this face? I mean, those hairy lips just say "Kiss Me."

Munny on the Moon: SUPERDUCK!

2010-08-09T14:29:00.005-07:00

About a year ago, I painted one of those plastic, paintable toys called "Munny" put out by kidrobot.com. They're pronounced 'moo-nee' and come in a variety of sizes and shapes; from 7 inches to 18 inches tall and in general animal/robot shapes to help you create something magical.

Since I felt it of great importance, I'm finally posting photos of this crazy SUPERDUCK! He has detachable hang gliding wings made of cock feathers. Since I wasn't in the mood to chase down a duck, and I didn't have the heart to pull out the poor duck's feathers either, I pulled the feathers out of an obliging feather duster. I liked how it turned out, but now it's just sitting gathering dust due to the death of the feather duster. So I took the SUPERDUCK! outside for a photo shoot. I made up little theme song for him that reminded me of "Darkwing Duck." It was entertaining and made my afternoon.

SUPERDUCK! To the rescue!

Recipe: Carrot Cookies

2010-07-30T12:10:00.005-07:00

I've been rather busy lately. This may be an accurate reason as to why I haven't posted for a long time. (Shameful!) So without further ado, here is some food styling with a recipe. Cheers!

Carrot Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 TBS orange zest

1 egg

1 1/4 cup cooked and grated carrot

2 2/3 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 TBS cinnamon

1/3 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cloves

pinch salt

Icing

3 TBS orange juice concentrate

1 tsp orange zest

1 tsp butter, melted

1 tsp cinnamon

add powdered sugar until desired consistency

Bake at 350 F for about 10 minutes

I've got Happiness like a Carbonated Garfunkle

2010-07-27T11:54:00.010-07:00

"I just like smiling. Smiling is my favorite."

-Elf

It's Only A Question If You Ask It Out Loud

2010-02-01T15:09:00.003-07:00

I am addicted to light.

Little fireflies of poka-dots-

Swarm in my brain and in my eyes,

The familiar buzz of unsatisfied insanity.

Which way does the spectrum lie?

I take my light with me, reflecting,

Yet still question what I see.

Wedding Highlights :: Grant & Rachel

2010-01-19T17:18:00.006-07:00

I really like taking wedding photos. Thanks to Grant & Rachel for letting me capture their important day. Congrats!

Greeting Cards

2010-01-14T19:15:00.007-07:00

Last November I was asked to make some greeting cards
for Peak Photo, located in the pristine mountains of powder heaven: Alta, Utah. Each card has a window to for the customer to put their action ski or portrait photographs taken by Peak Photo. The customer can also add a custom message up to a certain number of characters and lines.

The New Year cards feature a photo I composited from several time-lapse photos taken during the yearly New Year torch run. The original photo composite sans words and white box is also available as a print.

Nothing says powder like that Alta snowflake.

The Time Machine

2010-01-05T15:39:00.011-07:00

Yesterday I opened a time capsule. It's a medium-sized blue chest that I've hauled around the state with me, unopened since 2006. Along with some random vintage thrift store finds, it encases some things that I've been avoiding for years: photographs. They remind me of what once was, of people and places and things. Some things I never want to revisit, and other things I wish were still here and intact. It reminded me of what I once was and how much I've grown to where I am now, and how much I appreciate all the people that have helped me get here.

I just want to say a very heartfelt thank you. I could never have made it to the person I am now without your support and friendship. I feel like a new person, and that world has never been a brighter, friendlier place despite all that goes on.

Thank you

Eating Disorder Awareness

2009-12-12T11:55:00.004-07:00

Some graphic design I've been working on that I thought I'd share:

Visit NEDA

Tim Burton at MOMA

2009-11-30T23:14:00.008-07:00

I am a fan of Tim Burton. Do I dress in black and spout Edgar Allen Poe? No, I just think his imaginative facilities are out of this world. Fantastic. Singular. And now this amazing creative mind has a show at the MOMA in New York. I MUST go. I'm formulating a plan...

Take a look:

And behind the scenes: maybe striped socks
will help me draw better? ;)

Afro Celt Sound System

2009-11-25T15:00:00.010-07:00

I realize I haven't posted for a while. I've been busy! I thought I'd start by sharing some relatively unknown music: Afro Celt Sound System. When I think of the term "World Music," this is what I think of. This is a promotional video from their label, Real World Records, founded by WOMAD and Peter Gabriel.

The Apple Tree

2009-08-15T11:08:00.003-07:00

I really like how the fabric texture turned out. I'm excited to play with the texture idea more!

IZZE :: Yum!

2009-08-12T09:29:00.005-07:00

I love IZZE soda! It's basically carbonated fruit juice, which is why it's so simply awesome. I also love the design of the bottle and the logo. It's very simple, versatile, upbeat, and memorable. Perfect for a fizzy drink.

Someone even made earrings out of the bottle caps. If that's not packaging design success, I don't know what is.

Portraits :: Rachel

2009-08-11T12:35:00.006-07:00

A friend of mine told me that she felt like the camera hated her, that she didn't like any photos that were taken of her. I beg to differ. I think you will too :)

She believes me now :)

Gallery Stroll, Salt Lake City

2009-07-31T14:04:00.008-07:00

I have a hard time not taking pictures of everything and everyone at any kind of artsy function. I had the pleasure of going with friends who enjoy the arts as well as seeing friends who had participating artwork. Goodonya!

From the Kayo Gallery

This is "Brynnella." I kinda feel like the Sattorialist and I like it!

Buttermilk Blueberry

2009-07-30T23:12:00.004-07:00

I LOVE blueberry season. It's so delicious! I can't stop making things with blueberries! Too bad I used the last of my blueberries on that tart... oh well. It was delicious. Yum!

Wisdom

2009-07-29T16:36:00.003-07:00

I recently went to the library and in passing picke up a very large, coffee table looking book with an intimidating picture of Clint Eastwood on the cover. I was expecting a photo gallery of maybe hollywood celebrities. What was inside was what I never expected. Words of wisdom of some of the most influencial minds of artist, politicians, religious leaders, musicians, writers, actors, and many more filled the pages, with some of the most intreguing and highest quality photographs I've ever seen. Each of these people have one thing in common: years of living; and each one has their own ideas they'd like to communicate to the masses.

The book is also a film, which is included in a DVD that comes with the book.

I highly recommend it.

"Wisdom," by Andrew Zuckerman

Andrew Zuckerman, who photographed and interviewed all the people who participated in the book, said that Desmond Tutu wrote letters to everyone, asking them to participate.

It's up! My Website is Finally Done!

2009-07-16T10:29:00.003-07:00

Are you ready for this? You better check to make sure.

www.clearly-creative.com

Of Quilts and Websites...

2009-06-30T12:39:00.003-07:00

Of all the random clients I get, here is one that I wasn't expecting. I recently received a commission to bind the edges of quilt for a woman who can no longer hold a needle. I'm loving it because she did such nice work, and I'm happy to help out!

Makin' Stuff, Random Stuff

2009-05-10T14:14:00.009-07:00

So, I'm on the eve of about to fly off the face of the US for a tour of Eastern Europe with my singing group, U of U Singers (wahoo!) so I thought I'd get one more blog post in. This is all the random things I've gotten myself tied up in as of late. Enjoy!

T-shirt design for Singer's Eastern Europe tour. Someone else came up the concept. I made it happen :)

I had too much on the brain and I melted a frying pan! This is why you buy GOOD QUALITY pans. Especially for scatter brained people like me! :/

This is the molten aluminum that came out of the bottom of the pan. Thank goodness none of it got onto my skin. However, it did melt a hole in the enamel on the top of the stove!

I took some quick portraits of my friend for an audition.

Isn't she photogenic?

Engagements for Sam and Evy!

And last (but not least) is a pouch I made for my roommate. She uses it as a purse. She likes it to go around the waist so as to not lose it :) Check out those buttons...

Gotta Paint! Gotta Paint!

2009-04-21T23:23:00.002-07:00

Thought I'd let y'all in on what keeps me up at night. I have to paint at least a little bit a day or I get kinda cranky :) This is Baba Yaga's house from the Russian folk-lore. I'm not sure if she would have kept a cat as a pet, but I added it here regardless. Enjoy!

Henna!

2009-04-14T19:03:00.001-07:00

I did henna for my aunt whom has wanted a tattoo for a while but does not have the immune system to handle it. Henna is a paste made from dried henna leaves that only stains the top layers of the dead skin cells. It does not penetrate and permanently stain the living organ of your skin and make you bleed like a tattoo, so when the remainder of dead skin cell layers that have been dyed sluff off, the stain is gone. It is therefore very important not to henna over broken skin- that area will stay stained forever!

Usually, henna has to be ordered online via India, but my friend Michele (who is actually a bonified henna artist) found some for a wonderful price in a little shop on the corner of 39th and Redwood Rd. called "Quaderi Sweetzspicez." They mostly sell food grocery store style as well as a small restaurant. The store also has a large collection of Middle Eastern music and movies to buy as well as rent.

I promised a henna tattoo as a Christmas gift, which is why I did it in March (yeah, a little late) but now she can show it off! She was actually planning to go to Las Vegas that weekend, so it was perfect timing. It didn't stain very dark, but I'm told by my Michele that the paste is supposed to stay on over night. We only kept it on for an hour. Oh well, next time!

Now, sadly I have lost the photos I took of my aunt's foot, So my roommate has happily filled in for her. So without further ado:

The paste is piped on like icing on a cake.

With it off. It gets darker with each day and stays for up to three weeks. The paste pattern for the butterfly didn't stay on very long-it got smooooshed ;)

My aunt had payed me partly in mochi :) Mmmmmmm...

Bobby McFerrin!

2009-04-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

I've delayed writing this blog for a while now, so I need to quit hiding! The University of Utah(where I attend school) had a Fine Arts Gala where they invited some prominent artists who went to the U and are now very successful. One of these successful people was Bobby McFerrin. (He is most well known for his 1980's hit "Dont' Worry, Be Happy.") He is a very accomplished and well known Jazz vocalist and improvisational artist. For an example of his 4 octave range and throat singing, I've posted one of my favorites, "Drive." Special thanks to YouTube.

I consider myself rather new to the jazz world. I knew I liked listening to the jazz ensembles during school convocation, and I liked to go swing dancing (total improv, I have no clue what I'm doing) but I didn't really understand what it was all about. So, Friday before the concert I was able to attend a workshop with McFerrin and he said something that will stick with me. "Music is here, music is now, music is always changing." Mcferrin asked volunteers to come up and sing improv with him, and after listening to a fellow singer sing a duet I thought, "Hey, I can do that!" And I did! Now I'm hooked on jazz, improv, and the whole bit. It is so exciting because it is always new, the rhythm catching and present! It is something we make that is entirely our own, and it is here and now-very fresh. Not only that, but also allows us to show off our individual quirkiness for the enjoyment of others. The next week in music history, we learned of Bach and his musically changing ways that left church clergyman a little unnerved after an "enlightened" service. See? Even Bach was into it!

bad posture :)

McFerrin was always a wonderful gentleman about posing for photos, no matter how many people asked him. I appreciated his patience in letting me pester him for this one :)

Ms. V's Junior High Play

2009-03-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

So my roommate is a Junior High Drama teacher and she recently had a play on Greek myths. She divided her students into groups and each group chose a myth and then wrote their own script. She coached them in their acting and other features of each short play, and then let them have at it. The plays are low budget (no budget) and simple, but the kids came up with some original ideas, and that's the cool part. I knew that she wouldn't post this coolness anywhere else, so I'll do it for her. Mwha ha! Our friend Em filmed it, and I took pictures. I've never taken pictures in a theater setting before, so they're a bit blurry at times. I can definitely improoooove. Good times!

Doorbell ditching the Trojans

"She turned into a... TREE!"

"GIVE ME PANDORA'S BOX!"

Oh yeah, look at them card makin' skills.

Ina Mina Dika

2009-03-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

So you don't think swing and 1950's Bollywood go together? Think again. Special thanks to the Draper Library for helping me find this little gem.

Hello Ms. Robinson

2009-03-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine is an elementary school teacher, and occasionally she asks me to teach an art class. This time I had a great time teaching them to do contour line drawings. I also brought Dangle the Dragon-which is the star of my newest stop motion animation: "Dangle's Dream" which I also let them watch. One of these days I'll get it on the internet and post a link here! Wahoo!

Operation Smile!

2009-03-20T23:12:00.000-07:00

So lately I've been a bit busy! I volunteered through a friend of mine to do some graphic design for the University of Utah's division of Operation Smile. I created 5 options and they decided to put about three of the designs together. How do you like the result? Very dramatic, but for a good reason. I did not create the verbiage nor the photo, but I did create the textures, design, etc. There is a 9 in x 6 in space left at the bottom to attach a clear plastic envelop so the U's Op division can slip in fliers with updates on meeting times and other info.

University of Utah Singers

2009-03-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

I currently sing with the University of Utah Singers and lately I've been volunteering some (okay, a lot) of time helping update the website. It looks pretty nice. The university made the template (Since it is a utah.edu page, it needs to match.) and then I update as well as teach others to update the site using Dreamweaver.

We went live a couple of weeks ago! The conductor (Dr. Brady Allred) handed out a bunch of business cards (which I did a quick spur of the moment design on) that tell not only about our website, but our YouTube channel, our Facebook Fanpage, and our iTunes Page Check us out, we're pretty cool!

Opera Is Actually Pretty Cool

2009-02-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

This is a scene from Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute. It features the coloratura soprano Natalie Dessay as the Queen of the Night, singing "O Sittre Nicht, Mein Lieber Sohn." When translated to English it means "Tremble not, my dear son." Yeah, kinda hard not to tremble with a witch queen grows into a mountain at your feet and then disappears again. Best set design I've ever seen, and Natalie Dessay is not only an amazing actress, but an amazing singer as well. For a more in depth synopsis of The Magic Flute, please visit Wikipedia.

Photogenic

2009-02-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

Last August I bought a Nikon D-80. I've been trying to keep up with it ever since! I thought I'd share some of my best photos, starting with the most recent.

A surreal scene

I had the privilege of singing Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. The paintings and stained glass was AMAZING!

A very foggy night at a cemetery. CREEPY!

Horsing around

This is my cousin Janell's new little one, Meera. I enjoyed taking photos of Janell and her entire extended family.

Bear Lake 2008. Awesome clouds!

It is my hope and goal to become an even better photographer this year. 2009, here I come!

No One Knows Fancy Like Nancy!

2009-02-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

Bonjour!
I have a confession to make. I am in love with the Fancy Nancy children's books. They are exquisite! (That's fancy for highly imaginative, awesomely detailed, brightly colored wonderfulness.) The character is wholly herself with all her eclectic-ness. (See the correlation? Good!) Fancy Nancy is very popular with the young, female generation. In fact, Harper Collins has published 10 Fancy Nancy books since the first one in 2005 with 6 more coming out for 2009. (I think I feel a kids TV show coming on.) Now I can ostentatiously proclaim, "Wearing lace trimmed ankle socks does help me draw better." If I had any... Hmm...

Ode to Takagi Masakatsu

2009-02-11T20:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'd like to spotlight Takagi Masakatsu's video work. Like me, he is a musician and a painter, which may play into why I like his work so much. This video showcases an overview of his work from 2004-2005. He uses a Final Cut Pro, After Effects, and Logic Pro to take the raw footage and music to it's final product. Enjoy!

Art Nouveau Goodness: Gaudi

2009-02-09T13:31:00.000-07:00

I've always loved the fantastical characteristic that exists in Art Nouveau work, whether it comes from architecture, prints, drawings, etc. Today I'm looking at architecture.

This giant face can be found in Latvia on Riga Street in the famed Art Nouveau District. It looks rather uncomfortable lodged in there, don't you think?

And this is a photo from the Gaudi's Casa Batllo (My favorite). It is an apartment complex! I would LOVE to live there but I think it's a museum now. I should find out...

I also like his Sagrada Familia.

Is anyone else feelin' a bit queasy?

LOVE IT.

If you'd like to learn more about Casa Batllo, the official website is:

http://www.casabatllo.es

Hello World!

2009-02-06T22:33:00.001-07:00

Well, well, well... if it isn't Melanie back at the blogging again. Who'd a thunk? Well, now that she's smarter with the CSS she can actually edit the blog's appearance and to match her soon-to-be website at www.clearly-creative.com. Yes indeed! We hope to see much more of this Melanie gal on here, along with all of her craziness.

See you soon world.