(Art Days) Artists in Buffalo

I created a profile for my artwork on the Artists in Buffalo website! 

I discovered the website this morning at about 8am, and decided to call one of the women who is in charge of the site. She was so kind, & answered all my questions. Her name is Anne Bliss.

Only after calling her did I realize how early it was! What a good person to help me that early in the day- for real. 

I just wanted to post this up, maybe some other artists in the area may read this & go join the Artists in Buffalo site. 

It is free to join! Here is the link:

http://www.artistsinbuffalo.org/

You can upload your artist statement and 10 artworks & you can edit these at anytime.

I uploaded a few, here is one of my favorites I added:

I drew this about a year ago, I adore it. I need to draw more like this. 

Good luck fellow artists! May we all find happiness!!

(Life) The new Buffalo waterfront, Miss Josie's Antiques & the Army Navy Outlet

One of my favorite stores in all of Buffalo is Miss Josie's Antiques on Delaware in Kenmore. This store is the most amazing vintage store I have ever seen! They have clothing from the 1800's all the way up to more current vintage. 

I always love trying on everything when I go there & taking pictures of myself in all the clothes that I wish were mine! 

A very fluffy lovely feather shrug- I felt so luxurious. 

A beautifully detailed vintage bed jacket, that I ended up purchasing. I think it will look very unique with jeans and very pretty over a dress. 

Another one of my favorite things in Buffalo is the new waterfront development that has been going on! It's so thrilling, I love my city so much and I'm glad it's going through a revival. 

These pictures are from the waterfront from Ghallager Beach down to Times Beach Nature Preserve. 

I collect feathers, so needless to say I was thrilled to find all these. 

They have pieces from an old building set up to form a sculpture/seating area- pretty neat. 

A view of Downtown through a field by the Lake. 

The moving sculptures are so cool! 

A closer view. 

My Ma & I! She is honestly one of my best friends ever. When we hang out, she's so much fun I forget sometimes that she is older than me & my Ma. She feels like my friend whom I can always trust. I mean, we have our days just as all parents & children do when we don't get along as well- but 99% of the time we do get along. I'm very blessed to have her in my life.

Lastly, on one of my adventures I went to the Army/Navy surplus outlet right off of Seneca Street. I am forever and always coming back to shop here. They have really snappy basics and really durable bags/backpacks. Honestly how could you expect anything less from our countries finest? 

I purchased a wool sweater & an old army shirt with some patches still on it. I know the sweater does not fit into my no new clothes challenge (which is going excellent by the way) but it does support the men & women who keep us free. 

Here are a few pictures from the outlet, they are kind of silly: 

All kinds of uniforms/clothing from many different countries. 

They had these funny little hats there! And these pretty intense helmets: 

I highly recommend visiting here. 

And, if you haven't been to Buffalo, it's a great city with a small town feel. That sounds contradictory but it's true. We have tons of Mom & Pop shops here and the country or Lake is only a short drive away. Buffalove! 

(Life) Getting myself back out there & dealing with nerves

Since my dear friend & grandmother figure Patricia Lukaszewski took a turn for the worst with her brain cancer & passed away, I have been giving myself time to grieve & I've been thinking about all the ways she inspires me.

She got her degree in Anthropology in her 60's and was a docent at the Burchfield Penny Art Gallery for 20 years- giving tours to visitors and teaching them about the artworks there.

I loved talking about art with her, and going to lectures with her at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester with her.

She always inspired me to do what I wanted, since she was 60 when she went back to school it showed me how fearless a person could be, & just exactly what a person can be capable of. 

She has left her mark big time on my life, I would not be who I am today without her. 

This week, I am being brave and going to an opening at a gallery by my home. 

I am excited to meet some fellow artists, and this show features artist's work from my hometown.

It's always wonderful to have artists to talk to. 

Networking is honestly nerve racking, but really anything worth something in life takes effort and I've found more often than not, things that make you nervous or excited-nervous have the greatest payoff. 

I love learning new things, and one of the best ways to learn is by actually doing things & exposing yourself to new experiences. 

One day, I hope to have a career that makes me really happy, as happy as Pat was when she was a docent. I know good things take time, and I've been having to remind myself of this the past few weeks. I just graduated in December, and have done very well for the short time I have had my degree.

I need to keep telling myself this more too! 

I just needed to write this post, by putting this down here, I have just lifted at least 100 pounds off my shoulders! Maybe this will even help another new graduate out there too, knowing they are not alone in how they feel. 

Everyone gets nervous about life. 

(Life) Working on my art & wanting more

I work on my art everyday, & so far- since December I have: been published in Artvoice, been in a local galleries show, sold 6 paintings, had my work shown & sold at Record Theatre for Record Store Day & my work is published in a children's book. My photograph was chosen by the Albright Knox to feature in their pictures of nature series on their website & I have been given a solo show for January. I am extremely thankful for all of these things! I am also very proud of myself, because I've kept going along and making my work & constantly trying new things. 

Currently I am trying out the new Albright Knox photography challenge, I'm not too sure I understand it- but I am trying my hardest! & I am going to enter some of my work in the Erie County Fair. Besides these things I am always looking for new art exhibits calling for work & for other contests to enter.

I am so blessed but I still want more! Not in an ungrateful way by any means, but I just want to be successful and happy. I know I can do it, & I know success takes time- I have been successful so far for the short amount of time it has been since I have graduated my undergrad school- but I want to keep working at it until I achieve even more great things. I love art so much, I have loved it my entire life.

It's natural to want more of what makes you happy- and I just want to make more art & enter more shows & do more commissions! I am having so much fun & I am so happy & thankful. 

A Challenge to Myself

I'm giving myself a challenge, I'm going to try my hardest to not buy any new clothes until September. Clothes- not accessories. Maybe it will progress into this, maybe not. 

Why? Because I've seen a few bloggers do this, & I think it's a great way to push myself to be more creative & resourceful with my existing wardrobe. 

I have so many cute clothes, & honestly do not need any more right now. 

Also, I'm getting very excited just thinking of the money I will save! All the possibilities.... 

I'm going to document all my outfits on my Instagram & on here with more details about where the clothes came from etc. 

So, here is my first outfit: 

Hairbow: American Apparel

Shirt: Thrifted

Pants: F21

Shoes: Gap 

Wishing myself good luck! 

Inspiration

http://www.victorianmicroscopeslides.com

I came across this website while looking at 

pictures of insects that inspire me. This photo

specifically led me to the site:

 

They are Victorian Era slides of insects! The 

website specializes in these, as well as slides 

from before 1840. Not only do they have 

Insect slides- but fossils & the like as well. 

I do not own a microscope, but now I really 

wish I did! It's all so fascinating. 

I found these two pictures as well. I just love 

the minty color of Luna moths, & quirky old

drawings. 

One day, I will own a microscope! 

1920's Wool Sweater

I recently purchased a US Navy sweater from an antique shop by my home. The lady at the shop said it was from either the 20's or 30's but could not remember exactly what the seller had told her. 

I loved the sweater so it didn't matter that much to me, but I did become curious & decided to do some further research. 

I posted up this picture on Instagram 

And a young man from Michigan, he tried on a sweater just like it that day! said that he was told it was from the 1920's or 1930's. 

I then went to the wizard of Google & found all these great pictures of my sweater on men from the 19-teens & 1920's! Get ready for a flood of awesome old photos:(which I do not own or did not take)::

My sweater does not have that snazzy tie.

I think it's so fun that I've found a sweater from a pivotal point not only in American History, but world history! 

Come Fall, or possibly a sooner chilly day- it is Buffalo after all- I cannot wait to wear it. 

Antiques & What I Wore

Today, I went antique shopping with my friend at the OP Antique Mall. We saw so many neat things!

Antique malls are like museums to me- but I can buy all the cool things instead of just gazing longingly at them. 

This time, I found some funny hats, an art nouveau inspired dressing screen (it wasn't too old I feel- but it was still really unique) & if you can believe it- 1936 Olympic programs from Germany (a bit disconcerting, but so historically relevant I was shocked that someone was actually selling them) 

As my friend & I were walking about I came across an old US Navy jacket from the 20's- 30's. Its made so well, it fits perfect & it doesn't smell (that surprised me) I bought it & I cannot wait to wear it! 

I prefer unique clothes over super in-style /skimpy/ bright clothing that many other girls around here wear. 

Here's some pictures from my adventure! 

Working on my paintings

When I'm Rich

Of course, I'm still in school, but I'm planning on being successful. I have no clue if ill be rich by society's standards- but I do plan in having more money than I do now & being happy. That sounds like my idea of rich.
With my success, I've been planning on what I want to do.
I'd give more money each paycheck to the ASPCA than I already do.
I'm still going to donate half of the money from each artwork I sell to the ASPCA, just hopefully I can sell my art for more!
I'd love to have enough money to buy clothes for a women's shelter on a regular basis. We have donated to one before- it'd be fun to give them brand new clothes.
I want to donate art supplies to schools in my area that don't have well funded art programs.
I'd give money to Hospice Buffalo each month.
This is what I would do on a regular basis if I was rich, or just more than I do now. I wouldn't blow my money, success is meaningless if you can't share it.

Gardening

Since I have a hard time bending over to garden, I love making a "container" garden filled with succulents!
My favorite are Lithops, or living stones. Succulents are hard to kill, & they look so unique & strange.
This year, I added to my growing garden with 7 new succulents, making a total of 12 in my garden so far.
I also like gardening this way because when it gets cold I just bring everything inside & all winter I can pretend it's summer- even if it's only for the few minutes I'm watering my plants.