freelisa designs... um yeah.

Upcoming Show

I hope you can make it to the opening, or take a peek sometime in the next couple of months.

 

new tricks for a treat

Happy New Year! 

First, let's get the obvious out of the way- I failed miserably at my bet with John Gonzales in Most Blog Posts for a Year.  That will happen when you suddenly stop with 6 months left in the year to go.  Congrats, John.  I hope you enjoy your endless supply of cupcakes. 

And so- begins 2011.  I usually do not make resolutions, but have decided to try them out for this year.  Last week John and I met and set up some goals to challenge each other with.  Of course, this blog was mentioned and made the list pretty early on.  And yeah, that was last week. 

So, moments ago, here was a little chat convo that took place:

John:  How about blogging? Any ideas 

Me:  i guess i just need to do it   

John:  Um wasn't that the whole idea behind the list. Stop putting stuff off and doing it?

Lisa:  um yeah.
Lisa:  old habits are bastards to kill
Lisa:  ill try a new weapon
 
John:  Please.

 

I'm still choosing my weapon for killing the procrastinating-easily-distracted old me.  In the meantime, here is blog post number one.

 

:)

Fancy Show Announcement...

My show has been shifted to Saturday, June 12.  I hope you can make it!

If you are in the show-going mood for June 5, you should swing by Kettle then to take a look at a show featuring the works of Kettle's overlord, Frank Campagna.  Richard Ross will also be featured along with some other Kettle all-stars.  And if you see something you love- you should buy it.  :)

But seriously- swing by my show on the 12th as well.  It is coming together- and I look forward to sharing it with you.  If you can't make it to the opening, it will be on the walls of Kettle for 2 weeks.  Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

It's a dream that's always out of hand.

No surprise here- I tend to procrastinate and put off things that are important.  Then at the very last moment I pull it all together in a mad dash to the finish line.  I do not love it, and I am not proud of that fact- but it is what I do best.

Life has been keeping be busy on several fronts.  There have been many projects crossing my path, which I have been working on and turning over in my mad-dash sort of way.

One in particular is a mural I completed in Oak Cliff.  This mural was done for the Oak Cliff Art Crawl, and a mural project associated with it - designed to deter graffiti and make my neighborhood even more awesome than it already is.

It was treat to be able to convert a 20"x20" painting into something so huge.  I wasn't sure I could do it-- but it was an even bigger treat to have Diablo Texas offer some assistance in the project.  He is pretty good at helping me ignore the gigantic doubts I have living inside of me.

(photo below courtesy of Diablo Texas)

If you are curious to check it out, it is on the backside of Sweet200.  Be sure and check out the other awesome mural on the building done by Brian (not sure his last name).  It is AWESOME.  There are also plenty of other fantastic murals nearby to check out.

On the topic of Diablo Texas- I met with him earlier today in relation to some Dr. Sketchy business- and with him, he brought me the most fantasticly awesome thing.  He brought me one of his paintings.  A painting he did specifically for me for TRADE.  trade.  so that means I now have to come up with something super duper awesome for him.  no pressure.

(photo below also stolen from Diablo Texas)

The title of the piece is "The Struggle Vs. The Fight".  I love it.  *Thanks, John!*

I also should mention that I have a solo show coming up.  I think I have delayed it's announcement because of my acknowledgement of the fact that I am quite behind on producing art for the show.  Fear not, the show will go on- even if I do not see friends and family for the next month.  If you need to see me, I will be at the musuem, in my studio, or in bed.

Solo @ Kettle Art

June 5, 2010.

There.  I said it. 

Sketchy things

so... I have the closest thing to a gun to my head right now.  right this second.

John Gonzales is right next to me nagging- and quite hungry for cupcakes.

why cupcakes?  because tomorrow (today) is dr. sketchy's March edition featuring Honey Cocoa Bordeauxx.

Hope to see you there!

we will have homemade cupcakes.

Drinking and Drawing

Last night's Dr. Sketchy session was awesome.  We had such a great turn-out of fantastic artists, and a good time was had by all involved.  It has been quite some time since the last full-fledged session- and I think we were all starving for a fix. 

Rose Darling was absolutely fantastic as our model.  She rose to the occasion to fit into our theme of Broken-Hearted Sweetheart Valentines Bullsh*t editon.  Also, with much help from John Gonzales (Diablo Texas), we had some great decorations for the stage, and all of the attending artists received special one-of-a-kind valentines. 

I have to say that this session topped all others so far.  I am definitely looking forward to the next one, which is tentatively scheduled for March 6... details soon.

(photo by John Gonzales)

In art news, next weekend is the For the Love of Kettle show at Kettle Art in Deep Ellum.  I have finished a painting for the show- and am looking forward to delivering it on Tuesday.  No doubt there will be many many many incredible pieces for the show.  Last year's show was a feeding frenzy of people buying up the many awesome works of art which were ridiculously priced at just $50 each.  This year will be no different, I am sure.  All paintings are $50 and all proceeds go towards keeping the gallery open and awesome.

Tomorrow I will post a photo of the painting I am submitting...

Drumroll...

It's back!!!

For the love of

This afternoon I dropped off an order of brand spankin' new hoodies at the Trinity River Audubon Center.  These hoodies are fantastic and I am super excited about them.  They are a super soft combination of recycled cotton and recycled soda bottles.  Pretty incredible- and slightly more "green" than organic cotton.  I am pretty excited to find out the response to these.

Also, the print on the hoodie is brand new.  I will also be printing it on the front of tees- so let me know if you want one.

Later on, I picked up my blank board for the second annual "For the Love of Kettle" show.  It is a fundraiser for Kettle where 100 percent of the sales from the night go towards keeping kettle's doors open. 

I will keep you posted on the progress of that painting.  Hopefully I will start on it this weekend.

The Gauntlet

... I throw it down.

Meet me and my big ideas.  Nice to meet you.

I have challenged a friend of mine to a blog race of sorts.  Most posts in a year wins.

We have not discussed the prize, but I suppose that doesn't matter because I know I will win- so I kind of feel sorry for him.  (heh heh)...

Anyway- tonight was eventful.  I made my way to the top of Reunion Tower for the first time in my life.  The view was astounding, and I apologize in advance that there will be no showcase of photos from this experience (I vow to photog more).  My purpose for this expedition was to attend the 3rd SPARK Club meeting.  It is a fantastic gathering of social entrepreneurs and artists to mingle, learn from each other, and in theory- spark new ideas and ventures.  It was only the third gathering, but it has already grown quite a bit. 

In addition to networking, there were also a couple of folks who spoke about the projects they are involved in.  The first to speak was the owner of The Movement Dallas- a holistic approach to mind-body fitness and overseers of a local organic co-op.  Truly inspirational and something I am definitely going to be looking into getting involved with.  Next, Sarah Jane Semrad talked about La Reunion, the future artist residency here in Oak Cliff.  Again- truly inspirational and something I will be getting involved with. 

The meeting tonight made me proud to be where I am- and proud to be amongst so many wonderful and talented people who care about their community and each other so deeply.  Inspiration abound.

After SPARK Club, I ventured to the Fairmont Hotel to the opening of a new gallery located in the bottom level of the hotel, where the artwork of a friend of mine was on display.  George Fowler is a very talented sculptor- and his sculptures are definitely worth seeing if you ever get a chance.  Currently, he is also has a show up at The Cameron Gallery.

Upcoming

Have I ever mentioned how much I love my neighborhood?  No, I don't think that I have taken the opportunity to discuss this topic quite yet considering the fact that I moved here just after my February 2009 post.

I promise to take you on a tour one day- but in the meantime, just trust me on the fact that it is awesome.

I live in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas.  No- I am not a drug dealer, and no, I am not in a gang. 
My neighborhood is beautiful and friendly- creative and unique.  I have never felt so much a part of a community before moving here.  It is fantastic.

At some point I will divulge a little more about the things I have become involved in here in Oak Cliff, but in the meantime, I wanted to share with you a project that I just got accepted into...

Drum roll...

I get to paint a mural!  Here in Oak Cliff!

This mural project is headed up by the owners of the Cube Creative gallery, and you can read more about it here: (link)

The owners of The Cube Creative, Kevin Obregon and Vanessa Neil are two of the many reasons why Oak Cliff shines.  They are such wonderful and talented people with enormous hearts and admirable passion.  I feel lucky to know them and to be a part of the same community.

There are so many other amazing people here in Oak Cliff worth sharing with you- and I will do so in future posts...  I promise, there will be future posts.  :)