Introducing : Custom Care Packaging

As previously mentioned, sending out parcels is one of my favorite parts of the job. Every package that leaves the studio has been put together by hand, with love. Each envelope is made from recycled art magazines, and the address is hand-written. Recipients will usually receive some sort of small extra, whether it be a photograph from my Flickr account or a copy of a favorite poem. While all orders are personalized, the special treatment costs both time and money. To outweigh costs, you can upgrade to Custom Care Packaging. Support indie artists, give the mail courier something to talk about today, and treat your eyes to some serious mail candy.

Custom Care Packaging includes:

• A personalized hand-written thank you note.
• A hand-picked art envelope.
• One (or more) matte digital print from my personal collection.
• A momento from my city.
• One (or more) matte sticker.
• Decorative washi tape.
• And potentially more, depending on how much you order.

Custom Care Packaging is not to be confused with gift wrapping. Upgrade to Custom Care Packaging when you order the latest zine. Happy shopping. As always, thank you for supporting indie artists. X

 

Do it and write about it.

I almost talked myself out of a bike ride today. Thick sheets of overcast were draped over the entire city. As I was speeding down the hill, second thoughts began surface. What if it rains? I don’t want to get stuck in the rain. I’m so out of shape; I just don’t feel like riding. Why don’t I just stay at home? Another voice told me, Nope. We’re biking to Fremont. I’m not sure why I was so resistant to follow through with my initial plan to go to my studio, but as far as I could tell, my main concern was getting wet. It’s just water; Deal with it if/when it comes. Go. Do it and write about it. A rush of adrenaline pushed me down the hill and it was decided.

This is the human experience. You may be surprised how many adventures are waiting on you; You simply must allow yourself to indulge. Let loose. Live. It’s easy to get stuck behind the computer screen or seated snugly on the couch, but the likelihood of you experiencing anything new is lessened. While the Internet can act as a useful tool, it’s also a huge distraction. It’s artificial. Go outside. Connect with other people and be a part of their life experience.

Do it and write about it. Blog about it. Talk about it. Draw it. Feel it. Do it. The way you choose to express yourself isn’t important. You don’t even need to update Twitter or Facebook. You don’t need to share the experience with others. You just need to live it. What you do is more important than how you do it, so long as you do it.

Enjoy a few photographs from my experience today.

This site exists because readers like you choose to support it. If you found this article to be of interest, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for supporting my creative endeavors. 

‘What’s Good?’ Wednesday

‘What’s Good?’ Workbook available in the Storenvy and Etsy shops.

Due to popular request, I’ve decided to bring workbooks back to the shop. This is definitely my favorite workbook so far, and I hope you feel the same. This zine is twenty four pages, printed on high quality 25% cotton bond paper. There are seventeen days worth of daily reflecting, and other pages are composed of quotes and blank spaces for you to unleash your inner artist.

This workbook is available through Storenvy and Etsy. Each and every one of my orders are put together by hand, by me. You will generally receive a free 4×6 print with your order. As I told Facebook, I get so much joy sitting around and packing orders. I adore writing thank you notes and personalizing each parcel.

What else is good? ○ The Gardens and Villa Spotify station ○ Blooming flowers ○ Feeling accomplished ○ Tarot card readings ○ Iced lattes ○ Micron pens ○ Packing orders ○ Cuties ○ Riding my bike down the hill ○ Lazy days in the park ○ Cleaning my apartment ○ Mushrooms ○ Quinoa ○ Couscous ○ New roommates ○ Changes ○ Capturing life through a fisheye lens ○ Spending less time online ○ Making up songs on the fly ○ Giving and receiving neck rubs ○ Foot rubs ○ You ○ Leaving things nicer than you found them ○ Seattle Spring ○ Shaving the sides of my head ○ Catherynne M. Valente  ○ “Seeing” and “feeling” sounds  ○ Nostalgia  ○ Booking flights to Cincinnati and Tampa  ○ Shoes with no socks  ○ Making mistakes and learning from them  ○ Relating to other people  ○ New POVs  ○ Improvising ○

Mood Music.

Rehab has taken over my life. I was a fan of them in high school (I was more-so a fan of their singles Drinking Problem and Bartender - The video has Danny Trejo in it. Need I say more?), but recently I’ve hopped back on the train, and it’s all that has been blaring the past week. They aren’t a completely obscure group, but I find more people  are unaware of their existence. I understand; With “related artists” listed as Kottonmouth Kings and Mickey Avalon, some struggle to take them seriously. Interestingly enough, Blessed Union of Souls, Bubba Sparxxx, Kid Rock, and Adam Sandler are also listed as similar artists). Regardless, if  you tune in, you are sure to get some food for thought. One of my current favorite songs is Evidence. It’s catchy, but more so, real -talk. A simple reminder. A true gem in a medley of beer cans and empty cigarette packs.

I wanna be evidence of everything
That’s beautiful in this whole world
Like an old man dancing out in the yard
To the laughter of a little girl

Why can’t we just love life live like
We got a little bit of gratitude
Instead of a whole lot of attitude
This is us In God We Trust and then we lust
All of our neighbors paper the house the gold
I got a fashion statement to make, “Just wear clothes!”
We judge too much hold a grudge too much
I’m like a lot of us
I probably couldn’t walk without the crutch I lean on
Ain’t gonna lie seen a fiend on the streets
But for the grace of God there go I
The kids need opportunity stop the lunacy
Chop of the excess because greed is evil
We gotta treat people equal people
Life is a blessing without no sequel
I’m talking to the hooker on the street
And the preacher beneath the steeple people

I wanna be evidence of everything
That’s beautiful in this whole world
Like an old man dancing…out in the yard
To the laughter of a little girl
On a windy gray October day

A country boy in this city noise
The frowning faces the dreamers schemers
Money chasers the Jags and Beamers
That I don’t need deceit surrounds me
Bitter critters give me the jitters
It is amazing these things we take for
Granted the king is the man that make more
Money sunny days go unnoticed
Bloat us divide us I find it’s so dis-
Heartening the divine art and things
In nature a world full of beautiful creatures
That over wager and plagiarize
Under paid teachers anger lies
Everybody looking for the way to make another person
Look inside the mind and feel what they feel
We fallen in love with things that ain’t real

I wanna be evidence of everything
That’s beautiful in this whole world
Like an old man dancing…out the yard
To the laughter of a little girl
On a windy gray October day
With the simplicity of a smiling face

This site exists because readers like you choose to support it. If you found this article to be of interest, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for supporting my creative endeavors. 

Another bus will come.

Steamy bus rides

I find I am more high-stung these day, and I think it’s just because I have a lot of obligations. I’m sure anyone who’s working multiple jobs while trying to find a balance of work and play struggles with this as well.

This morning on my commute home, I had to catch the 40 line. As I was walking to the main road, I saw the bus pulling up to the stop. My first instinct (and words muttered) were, “Oh shit; That’s my bus.” I ran after it, giving my friend a quick “Goodbye – Catch you later!” I suppose it’s typical for some sort of panic to arise when the bus you need to get home is about to drive away, but here’s the moral of the story: Another bus will come. I wasn’t in a hurry. I didn’t have any time restraints. I had a solid three hours before I had to arrive to my destination, but I allowed anxiety to reign, and I dropped everything and ran towards a bus that was scheduled to arrive at that stop every fifteen minutes for the next thirteen hours. Another bus will come.

Slow down. Breathe. Relax. Another bus will come. And if it doesn’t? It’s not the end of the world. What’s the worst that could happen? My schedule would be delayed, and I would have to endure an hour long walk to get home. The point is, stressing such a petty situation is unnecessary. I now sit in Denny Park, writing this article, as a reminder to you (but mostly myself) to simply chill out. Most things in life aren’t worth getting bent out of shape over. It is true that a lot of opportunities in life come just once. However, King County Metro does not fall into that class.

This site exists because readers like you choose to support it. If you found this article to be of interest, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for supporting my creative endeavors. 

The Radical Uprise Zine 030 : Write More Letters

I’m so happy to announce the latest issue of TRU. It is definitely one of my top three favorite zines, so be sure to get your hands on a copy. As you know, I adore good old fashioned snail mail; I don’t want to see it fade away. I wrote this zine in hopes to provoke others to get in the habit of letter-writing. If you don’t have something you say, you can always draw a picture or send photographs. The goal is to raise the red flag on your mailbox. X

Printed on beautiful linen paper, this sixteen page zine will surely inspire you to write more letters. This zine features my own photography and doodles, letter writing tips, and an array of sweet snail-mail stories from reader submissions. Viva snail mail! Covers are printed on a sage heavyweight stock or cream linen paper, chosen at random.

 

Visit the shop to purchase an issue today. Thank you supporting indie artists. X

‘What’s Good?’ Wednesday

Lucky for me, I live in the Pacific Northwest and it’s still Wednesday. Where to start, what to say? It’s been another chaotic week of working, nesting into my studio, doing tile work, writing letters, maintaining my shop, dog walking, cat sitting, going out to Karaoke, making zines and trying to maintain composure at the same time. Let’s just say I have a lot on my plate, but my appetite is big enough to handle it.

Best mail day (see mail pirate). I received three letters today, filled with such sweetness. I also scored a pirate patch and some magnets. My shirt from the incredibly talented Kevin Wildt came today (and you can get one here). The image is from a hemorrhage arts show teaser. This guy will not disappoint.

I started doing some apprentice work with a carpenter. I met him through my part time job and he offered to help build my loft and cabinets in my new studio. After showing interest in the art, he offered me a gig working under him as an apprentice. I worked on my first gig on Tuesday – tile work in an apartment bathroom.This summer, I hope to work a day or so a week doing basic jobs with him (like restoration and remodeling). I love learning new skills, and this is definitely a trade I can put to good use.

The studio is creeping along. With so many other obligations this month, my studio set-up has been pushed to the back burner. However, I purchased a comfy rocking chair today, put up shelving, and purchased a foam sheet for my loft bed, an electric tea kettle, new plants, and other treasures to fill the space.

What else is good?  ○ Book smell  ○ This dreamy home  ○ Printing new zines  ○  Linen paper  ○ Bag Raiders  ○ Apple juice ○ Butter pecan soy ice cream ○ Sales ○ Sharing things ○ Stretching ○ Midge ○ Seaweed snacks ○ Being busy ○ Adopting new babes from Emerald City Gardens  ○ Compost ○ Paying off debts ○ Giving more than what is expected ○ Singing ○ Not drawing on my eyebrows ○ Dreaming big ○ Eating way too much pizza ○ My out-of-control imagination ○ Vegan parmesan cheese ○ Doing whatever I want ○ Micron pens ○ Getting paid to have fun ○ The fact that my life is like a TV sitcom ○ Cookies ○ Playing rummy and drinking whiskey ○ Losing my marbles ○ Finding new marvels ○ LIFE ○

This site exists because readers like you choose to support it. If you found this article to be of interest, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for supporting my creative endeavors.