What it do What it do!

I made a New Year's resolution--started practicing already--to post in my Wishing Thinking of the Urban Mind blog daily.  I'm including posts about my artistic endeavors on it, along with opinions on whatever moves me, sharing pix n poems, interviews, and whatever 2012 brings my way and yours!  So, if you've landed here and don't see much activity, meander over to Wishful Thinking and get hooked!  Have a suggestion for what you'd like to see me write about or share pix of?  Then go ahead tell me....What it do What it do?  And maybe I'll do it...for you!

WOLPS!

Gonna hang with the WOLPS (Words Out Loud Poets) this weekend in Muskegon.  I'm excited to have a different venue with some fellow Almost Dead Poets Society poets and new peeps to meet, see, & hear.

pre-V-day Poetry Chill & Thrill

Tonight's the night!  Gonna be some new poets in da house!  I'm rearranging the furniture to open up the space more, so the performing poet can take the podium! 

We've dubbed our group the Almost Dead Poets Society.  We began by reviewing some favorite poets, who happen to be dead.  Some challenges were given, and some fantastic poetry was birthed from these challenges.  The few us who began shy, are gaining momentum with our voices.  Next week we'll take the mic at Red Lotus Gallery (where some of my artwork can be purchased), and from there we will graduate to taking the stage at a W.O.L.P.S (Words Out Loud Poets) open mic event in Muskegon, Michigan.  I attended one of their events recently, and wow, I was blown away by the talent!  The audience support eased my bed nerves, so when I return and delve out one of my spoken word pieces I'm sure they will be gentle with me!

I'm gonna change the paintings in the gallery room and hang all the 3 Passions-painted poetry photographic artworks-that I have completed so far.

Phew!  I better get busy!

WRITE ON!

$10 off In the Bedroom!

Take $10 off with Code CHEER through December 31st!
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In the Bedroom by Colette

Make Your Own Book

Sunday Nite Poetry Chill & Thrill!

This was our 1st Poetry Nite @ the Avant Garde 2434!  Met some new people, heard some new voices, got inspired!  I made soup for the 1st one, and Diane made some hot soup for the 2nd one.  Looks like this is gonna be a regular Sunday nite gig!  Yay!

At the last one, we all read a Pablo Neruda poem, and some of us read our own poems inspired by the great poet.  I sent everyone home with a 10-word Vintage Slang poetry challenge.  Next Sunday is gonna be the berries!  :)

When I posted the event on FB I used a photo of Mae West with a quote of hers:  "Ten men waiting for me at the door?  Send one of them home,  I'm tired." haha!  I love her!  I started reading about her, and was fascinated by some of things that I learned about her!  Read this from start to finish, you'll be a fan, if not already:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_west

Black, White, Gray & Yes....Yellow!

Here's the new pix of the new look of my boudoir! 
Hmmm who will be my first model on my new black sheets?

Ok, so Penelope was the first model!  But I'm talking human!

Canary Song

Recently my sweet little female canary Frida passed away.  I've had canaries for the past 12 years, and used to breed them.  I also have a little parrotlet named Zoabi.  I didn't want Zoabi to be lonely after the loss of his tweet friend, so I considered another canary.  Then I saw Lemon Chiffon at Petsmart and new she was the one!  Only she's not a canary, she's a parakeet!  I've never seen a yellow parakeet before!  And she may not be a she, and Zoabi maybe not be a he, but we don't discriminate around here!

Then, I got in the mood to paint my bedroom, and I wanted one of the walls a sunny, cheerful yellow in honor of Frida.  The first color swatch that drew my eyes closer was called Canary Song, and voila!  this is it folks!  I've always had a blue bedroom since I was a little girl.  I wanted change, and I love it!  I spend a lot of time in my bedroom--especially in the winter.  The white walls with the yellow accent wall makes it feel very happy in here.  In fact, it could also be called Happy Face Yellow!  :)

I bought a duvet cover for my imitation down comforter for the winter, and new sheets & toss pillow.  I will hang a painting tomorrow and get another shot for you to see.

This is my Happy Place!

Calling all Poets & Poetry LOVERS!

Ok ya'all!  I said in the beginning, I want the Avant Garde 2434 to be a gathering spot for artists, musicians, writers and those who take great pleasure in the arts!  Our gloomy winter season is around the corner, and I would like to get that Poetry group started!  We need to have something fun to look forward to--every week?  Bi-weekly?  (I just wanted to say Bi) Whether you want to read or rap your lines, doesn't matter!  Style doesn't matter!  Size does if it's TOO LONG!  haha (well, we can break it down to digestible size!)  Bein' silly here, but on that note...your words can be funny, dramatic, child rhymes, or adult content!  Of course no kiddos allowed for this though.  You can read them, sing them, or give them that slam.  You can read your own poems, or those of your favorite poet.  Free spirits welcome here!

QUESTION?  When's the best meeting time for you?  a weekend evening?

As long as it doesn't coincide with Red Lotus Gallery's Poetry Open Mic Nite!  Not sure of their regular schedule yet, but I believe it will be the 1st Saturday eve of each month.  Red Lotus is new gallery in Muskegon where some of my art is rockin the walls!

I'll make snacks! 

If Only!

I have a quote of my own that fits my day:  "If only the moments were my lifetime, and my lifetime the moments."  By this I mean that I have had a difficult life, but I have had moments of incredible joy and peace that keep making this often wreched life even more magnificent!  Today, I spent a few moments with a Vietnam vet, a ducked taped pipe, a canary yellow wall, and black cat and it felt surreal.  Surreal, because it felt like a dream.  Because I have had some strange dreams lately.  But no...this was real, and I just wish those good moments in our lives lasted longer.  I wish the suffering could be minimal.  Somehow, all that suffering can get covered up by laughter...and how sweet that is!  How grand life can be! 

Bless the vets! & Bless me!  We lived to laugh again!

Help me help others! Vote for my book!

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THANK YOU!

Plastic Sleeves

I'm getting all my printmaking pieces, some oil paintings on paper/canvas paper, and a handful of photos ready for my party on Monday.  When I first googled "plastic sleeves for artwork", some plastic sleeves--literally as in wear on your arms!--came up.  Geez.  Then I notice you can either buy in bulk of 100-1000 per size, or a high price at other sites for smaller quantities.  bah.  I ended up getting some through a photo place I do business with, but didn't realize until I began to put the artwork into the sleeves last night they are exactly the size stated--NOT like sleeves I've previously purchased where there is a wee bit of space to easily slide the artwork into them, including a backing, and with extra length to flap over and seal.  So, I can't fit a 4x6 into a 4x6 sleeve, nor can I fit a 24x36 artwork into a 24x36 sleeve.  Phooey!  So, I'm just making due with placing the pieces that were non-traditional sizes into the sleeves that will work for them.  

I've had a difficult time as well finding some sort of flip-file to showcase these unframed artworks.  I tried looking for open-ended magazine racks, turning stools upside down, etc.  No luck.  My florist friend  Mari Ignatoski of Ginko Studios loaned me a couple wire racks and offered some other display suggestions.  She's clever with design elements.  In fact, she recently won the Art in Bloom contest at Grand Rapids Art Museum!  Congratulations Mari!!!!!

Ok, gotta get back to the plastic.  ho hum

la reconstruction de la femme

French Room

Love, Love, Love my French Room!!!!!  

I call my patio the French Room because it feels nostalgic.  I am reminded of my French mother & grandmother who both loved to plant flowers...I gained my appreciation for flowers through them, and how to create a space of peace and tranquility.  The bistro tables make it feel more quaint! 

I LOVE the SUMMER!  It feels so good to be able to sit outside, look at and smell the flowers, and watch the hummingbirds!  I used a product by Behr to seal/weatherproof my deck after my neighbor power washed it, it has a natural tint to it.  Doesn't it look great!  I hope the weather stays good for my party on Memorial Day so that people can linger outside!  Later in the summer the arbor over the bench will be filled with flowers--I'm hoping Moonflowers!--but there will at least be Morning Glories!  Lots of herbs for people to chew on, smell, and cook with!  Edible flowers too!  The herbs I have are:  Rosemary, Sage, Parsley, French lavender, and Chocolate Mint!  < Mickey has taken a few nibbles of that! 

Let's Get this Party Started!!!!

Whoot!  Whoot!  Let the party begin!  I have most everything accomplished around here!  All the lights are up!  The art is hung!  Well hung!  LOL  I have a theme of primarily White, Black & Red artworks for this first viewing.  There is a mix of paintings, photography (B&W film photography printed in a darkroom, and color photography etched into aluminum).  The old and the new!!!!  This collection really shows how I have evolved as an artist.  You can see styles I no longer create it, and also my most recent creations!  I'm excited to hear your opinions, thoughts, and emotions that are stirred when you view my art.  As mentioned prior...if you buy any of my art a large portion will be donated to charity!  I have a list of some of the charities dearest to my heart, but you have the option of selecting any that you care about as long as you can provide the needed information to me--where to send the check!  50% of paintings and other artworks will be donated, 25% of photography (because of 3rd party expenses involved, so I can keep the price reasonable for you).


This space is not simply for sales.  It's a mingling spot.  Where people of different ages, cultures and other identities can hangout together and share common interests and get exposed to new things!  As time goes on, I hope to hold fundraisers here, but also events such as poetry readings.  Any suggestions?  Let a girl know!


The first soiree will take place on Memorial Day!  Wear White, Black & Red if you're coming!


I still have to patch my ceiling where that copper hood came down.  I still need to shrink wrap my printmaking artworks.  Other than that...good to go! 

deck the patio :)

Dang, I've been busy.  Motivated--as my friend Amy said today.  "Well, of course I'm practically jobless as you know, so it keeps my mind and hands busy!"  Yesterday, I got my deck sealed.  Took about the whole day to get it completed.  It looks great!  Have had a little handy helper around too, who took down the copper hood in my kitchen!  Woohoo!  Nice, open feeling in there now.  Will probably hang a light to replace the hood, unless my helper quits on me, in which case I will just patch up the ceiling and call it done....hmmm, a play on words, just like with my poetry.   hmmm....

I can take it or leave it.  I'll be okay either way.

yo no se manana

UNDY 5000!

April 24, 2010 was the first UNDY 5000 nearby my place in East Grand Rapids, Michigan.  This 5K run took place to raise $ and awareness for colon cancer.  I went to support my friend Michelle, take pix of people in their underwear (sounded fun!), and quite frankly just to get my dose of "feel goodness" to witness people doing something to help others.  The people at this event made me smile, laugh, and cry happy tears for their good hearts and determination!  The guy who was twirling his shirt toward the finish really moved me!!!!  Hurray for him!  and ALL who crossed that Finish line!

There are a lot of images in this slide show, BUTT you might see someone you know!  and you will at least CRACK a smile!!!!!  Go ahead!  Watch!

UNDY 5000 slide show!

Let there be Light!

Girl Power!  Nicole took care of the electrical current!  The track is up with lights!  Next, we hang art!  whoot whoot!  Soon the Avant Garde @ 2434 will be ready for the parties to begin!

Screwed!

Put in a days work with Nicole screwin anchors, screwin screws, screwin my wall up, goin to Lowes to get more anchors and screws, cuz much of what we had got screwed up, and when the fine Lowes employee asked us if we were doin okay I said "oh we are just screwin with screws", and back to my abode we came to fuss with more screwed up elements, and Nicole said "your wall is screwed", but we got the tracks up on the big wall and said "screw the rest 'til tomorrow".

Lights! Camera! Action?

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Got my 3 strips of 3 lights up with the help of Nicole to lengthen the cords!  GIRL POWER!  Electrical power!  Next we will tackle the long gallery system track with lighting for the large wall where the majority of artwork will hang.

What else has been going on?  Painted the cabinet in my 1/2 bath.  Little product info for you...I bought KILZ oderless, because I thought the original KILZ might cover better than the water based formula, however, I was concerned about the fumes, so I went with the odorless.  The so-called odorless is not odorless...it smells like stinky feet!!!  It's also quite runny, so it drips and takes several coats to cover.

A good neighbor power washed my deck.  I used a product by Behr to remove some of the green slime still left behind.  When the weather warms up a little I will put a sealer on it.  Nicole does metal work, including garden art.  I will be displaying some of her art here.  I met Nicole when she owned a gallery in East Town called Inspired Creations, and I sold some of my art in her gallery.  The economy is tough on people at the lower end of the food chain.  The gallery was forced to close after just one year.  :( 

  

I'm done.

Challenge, Growth, Recovery, Reincarnation

Challenge

What's in a name?  makes you wonder.  The first painting of this group has been a challenge and is on my nerves!  I added more paint, but it still doesn't look/feel right, and maybe it won't until someone else connects with it.  I had that happen with a Big Wood I painted a while back titled "keeping me in the dark".  I painted that on the balcony of my former apartment at Aspen Lakes on Knapp, which overlooked the large pond.  I painted in the dark!  The next day when I looked at it, I thought "eek!"  It looked like Freddy Kruger had ran his claws across it!  It looked a bit dark and creepy to me.  I thought for sure I was going to add more paint and cheer it up some.  Then friends came over and loved it "as is", so I left it at their suggestion.  Later, one of my customers from Clipperz (where I used to work and display my art), saw it on my website and wanted to see it in person.  She loved it!  But it gets better...I learned from her that her wedding reception was held at Aspen Lake Apartments, and that later she found out that the man she married was gay--so he was keeping her in the dark!  See...things happen for a reason.  And that painting, though I didn't know it as I was creating it, was made for her.  I love it when these types of connections transpire.

So...Challenge.  Hmmm...Are we there yet?

< Keeping Me in the Dark