Lisa Chow

No Bitter Valentine's

2012-02-14T08:59:00.004-06:00

Ah, another Valentine's Day...I suppose that means it's time for another bitter Valentine's Day post...

...except. I'm not that bitter this year. Maybe it's because I've got...

TWO EXHIBITS!!!!

...lined up this year and I've been working my tail off. Too busy to be bitter.

Not to mention the general all consuming insane excited happy feelings of having two exhibits. Too joyous to be bitter.

Happy Valentine's Day! [no sarcasm...none at all...]

ok. maybe just a little bit...stupid fake Hallmark holiday...

Duh

2012-01-30T17:18:00.005-06:00

I'm doing something new to me but not new to anyone else because it's pretty much common sense. I'm sketching thoroughly before starting any final drawings and paintings.

Too often, I get an idea. I get super excited. I jump right into starting the final drawing only to find....halfway through I don't really like it.
So here's to days full of frenzied sketching before picking up a paintbrush or buying a new canvas or cutting into any fresh sheets of paper.

Year of the Dragon

2012-01-23T10:47:00.004-06:00

What's Making Lisa Happy Today:

Valentine's Day approaching

Buying stickers with my Chinese New Year loot

Restocking beloved shops with prints

What's Pissing Lisa Off Today:

Chinese New Year indulgences =X

Tiny Tower

The word "yaw"

Macabre

2012-01-17T10:04:00.000-06:00

It was bound to happen. With all it's sugary sweetness, my art was bound to take a little detour into darker waters. I knew it would happen eventually but I did not expect it to turn so soon.

Current project: Creating my own tarot deck

Current sources of inspiration:

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - The plot is ok...but the circus descriptions and imageries are amazing.
Charmaine Olivia - Love her or hate her, the girl is committed. She truly embodies her art. Her entire appearance, persona, lifestyle, environment and paintings are all rolled up into one witchy, gothic, otherworldly aesthetic. I'm starting to wonder if she is cleverly doing that on purpose.
Edward Gorey - The best example I've found of tongue in cheek macabre art. I LOVE how he manages to walk that fine line between funny/devious/innocent/twisted...basically all the things I'm striving for right now.
Edward Scissorhands soundtrack - And a couple others from Danny Elfman. The perfect arting background music.

So, watch out...Lisa's venturing into a new, gloomier genre. And as with most things I get really excited about, I'm going into this full-assed (as opposed to the half-assedness I save for things like mopping the floors). Which means I need to do my research. Which means I need books. Which means I order things like the encyclopedia on the occult.

No. I'm serious.

See? I even full-ass nerd.

Caramel deLites

2012-01-14T21:31:00.005-06:00

Hmm...haven't done a happy/pissy update in a while so I'll make up for it here. =)

What's Making Lisa Happy Today:

Morning routines.

Food trucking, crayon arting and food gorging with the girlies.

Officially starting my tarot project.

PUTTING IN MY GIRL SCOUT COOKIE ORDER WITH THE CUTIE PATOOTIE ACROSS THE STREET.

What's Pissing Lisa Off Today:

Someone egged my car. I am not amused.

Smudgey hands...one of the downfalls of being an artist.

The Miss America pageant.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-01-11T09:34:00.008-06:00

It's a little early...but really it's not because Valentine's Day stuff is already replacing all the Christmas stuff on store shelves. [insert sad face]

And I think all this Valentine propaganda is working because I woke up this morning with Valentine's Day thoughts infiltrating and squatting in my mind.

So, in an act of defiance...and because, despite what they claim, Hallmark doesn't have a card for every occasion...here are a few quickly sketched out Valentine's Day sentiments you might need in your arsenal.

Other close contenders were*:

"Buying me chocolates won't buy you love."

"No, I don't want to be your girlfriend."

"You're creepy."

*Not taken from personal experiences at all.

Decks

2012-01-10T10:26:00.003-06:00

TODAY

What's Making Lisa Happy Today:

Beautiful rose scented tea

What's Pissing Lisa Off Today:

Uninvited chair mates

YESTERDAY

What's Making Lisa Happy Today:

Tarot cards, tarot inspirations and tarot interpretations

What's Pissing Lisa Off Today:

Rain

Park City

2012-01-08T21:48:00.002-06:00

What's Making Lisa Happy Today:

Coming home to this.

What's Pissing Lisa Off Today:

Leaving this.

Flurries

2012-01-07T22:44:00.007-06:00

What's Making Lisa Happy Today:

Winter wonderland*

What's Pissing Lisa Off Today:

Packing**

*What I neglected to capture in this photo was The University of Texas flag waving boldly in the snow. Go Longhorns! (In actuality, I have just about...zero school spirit. My real purpose in photographing this house was less the alumni pride and more the cutesy, cozy, rustic cuddliness of the house.)

**Note the tarot cards. Uh oh, Lisa's art may soon be taking a bit of a dark turn!?!?!

Roundabout

2012-01-06T20:59:00.002-06:00

What's Making Lisa Happy Today:

Solo movie trip

What's Pissing Lisa Off Today:

Impatient bus rides

Turquoise

2012-01-05T18:53:00.003-06:00

What's Making Lisa Happy Today:

A million tiny carved stone animals

What's Pissing Lisa Off Today:

Class cancellations

*I'm already skeptical how long I'm going to keep up with these statuses.

Hocus Pocus

2012-01-04T16:51:00.003-06:00

What's Making Lisa Happy Today:

Magic and tarot cards

What's Pissing Lisa Off Today:

Forgetting my bathing suit

Old School

2012-01-03T19:16:00.007-06:00

I'm bringing it back*.

What's Making Lisa Happy Today:

Sparkler photo tricks

What's Pissing Lisa Off Today:

Cat scratches

*Back in the old days of midterms, study sessions, 6th street adventures and dining hall dinners, I used to keep my AIM profile updated with my daily happy/pissy status. In an effort to update this blog more than I've been, I'm bringing it back, baby!

Hello 2012!

2011-12-31T14:02:00.000-06:00

2011 was a good egg. It was filled with exciting new opportunities and challenging adventures. But a new year brings new grounds to play in. =)

So in a feeble attempt to ensure 2012 is even better than the previous one, I'm going to do what I do best: make lists.

Lisa's 2012 Resolutions

Art:

Secure a solo exhibition in an art gallery/venue

Sell my prints in a store in NYC

Take real days off

Visit a gallery/museum twice a month

Cozy up my studio space

Self:

Bake macarons

Eat Laduree macarons when in NYC

Bake streuselschneke

Get a tattoo

Spruce up the house

Perform one random act of kindness a month

Read a book a month

That's it for now. I may be adding resolutions as I think of them......but I most likely won't.

I gotta keep it real. And attainable. (for the most part)

So long 2011! HELLO 2012!!!

Christmasitis

2011-12-19T18:45:00.003-06:00

Ever experienced senioritis*? Well, I've got Christmasitis**. Today was a total wash. I did nothing.

But then my lazy butt felt too lazy and decided to tackle the dreaded...artist statement.

Calvin and Hobbes - Bill Watterson - Genius

Yeeuuupp, that's about right.

*The utter lack of motivation one feels as a high school/college/old-aged senior because you know the end is near.

**The utter lack of motivation to do anything other than drink hot cocoa, munch sugar cookies, bake pies and watch Christmas movies because you know the end is near.

If the Art Store was High School

2011-12-15T13:10:00.012-06:00

This post will likely make no sense. I am merely procrastinating because I don't feel like drawing or painting or wrapping the mountain of presents I have waiting for me.

If Art Supplies Were High School Stereotypes*

Graphite - Emos. After long sessions laboring over their meticulous and delicate shading, they discover the soft grey dust is now smeared all over their fingertips and clothing. They ponder. Then they cry. Why, cruel world? WHY?!

Pens - Nerds. Can be found heatedly debating the merits of ballpoint versus gel. Can only agree on the necessity of pocket protectors.

Ink/Fountain Pen - Hipsters. Fountain pens are so throwback. And anything throwback is good. Technology be damned.

Markers - Lisa Frank wannabes. Their favorite color is rainbow. Favorite element is glitter. Favorite animal is unicorn. And favorite word...sparklelicious.

Spray Paint - Badass, cool guys. They wear pants slung so low they defy gravity. They inhale each other for a good time. They wear their street painting clothes as a badge of honor. They also live in cardboard boxes. The most badassedly tagged cardboard boxes.

Acrylic - Idiots.

Watercolors - Hippies. Girls named Sunshine and Rain. Boys named Simon and Garfunkel. They love sepia tones and Instagram and anything else wishy-washy-fadey. Ironically, they don't wash their hair.

Crayons - Infants.

Pastels - Seriously? SERIOUSLY? Get off the bus and walk home.

Oil Paints - Cool kids. Everyone wants in but most are intimidated. Also known as the untouchables. Because they cost so damn much.

Colored Pencils - Social climbers. Just a hop and a skip away from any of the other groups. If only they could decide which one, they'd be gellin like Magellan.

And as you can see...I use a little bit of everything. I don't know what that makes me. Oh, but I don't use pastels. You weirdos.

*Disclaimer. These are all merely my own personal observations and opinions...which apparently everyone is entitled to...so there. Please do not feel offended or rejected or angry. I can't help it if you are a loser medium. Go sit in time out and keep eating that paste.

**Disclaimer Part Deux. This is obviously in jest. =D Merry Christmas!

Repeatedly Inquired Queries

2011-12-11T14:36:00.000-06:00

The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of art showing and art marketing and art fairing. And amidst all the hustle and bustle, I noticed I kept getting asked the same questions over and over again. So, in an attempt to answer some of those seemingly frequently asked questions, I have decided to compile a little frequently...asked....questions.....list of....FAQs.....

Lisa's List of Questions that Pop Up Time and Time Again

When did you first start to draw?

I love this question. I really do. It's because this question pops up in every interview I've ever read about any artist. And the answer is always the same. Just about every artist will tell you they started drawing as soon as they developed the motor skills to grab a crayon. But...isn't that true for...everyone? Every booger picking* kid loves to draw. The only difference between an adult artist and an adult non-artist is the artist never stopped drawing. BUT. If you're really asking when did I first take my art seriously? About 3 years ago. Around 2008. I'm a late bloomer.

What is your process? Lots of sketching.

Where do you get your ideas?

I am heavily influenced by children's stories, fairy tales, crowded cities, fuzzy animals and shiny things. However, I have found inspiration in obvious places (visiting galleries/flipping through art books) and less than obvious places (shape of a car/looking at things while squinting). You'd be surprised by what you see if you really take the time to look. As for the actual drawn images and concepts? I have no idea. The best I can explain it is...they come as flashes/glimpses and I just try my best to capture that image/feeling. I am lucky to have a very strange imagination.

Why houses and buildings?

I love cities, I love buildings and I love the romantic/nostalgic feelings we have towards our homes. I like to think the homes in my drawings help connect and draw out warm/fuzzy feelings. I like to imagine the stories and secrets the walls of a building could tell. But I draw buildings also because of what I don't draw: people. I don't like drawing people. So my buildings become my own little world of characters.

Are you an architect?

Nope. I can see why you'd ask. But nope.

More sketching and fine tuning.

Did you study art in school?

Nope. I have love/hate feelings about art school.

Love: I'm sure if I ever went to art school, I would be exposed to a bunch more mediums and techniques, I would actually have some art history knowledge and I'd have a better art people network.

Hate: I don't really believe art is something to be taught. I don't like being told how to do something and the right/wrong way to do it. I'm stubborn and I learn best from making my own mistakes.

Do you do this full time?

As of January 15, 2011, I proudly/timidly call myself a full-time artist.

And even more sketching. The back of my door is the best large-scale sketching spot. :)

You exist?!

My absolute favorite question EVER. And...actually...only asked once. But it made me feel all special and unique like a unicorn or a pixie or a pocketcat or a narwhal**.

*Or booger eating. Am I alone in this? Salty. Like Play-Doh. The more you know. =)

**Narwhals apparently...EXIST?!?!!??!!?

Rewind

2011-11-30T09:44:00.007-06:00

Let's quickly recap what I've been up to...

November 18-20: WHAM! Or, Spacetaker's Winter Holiday Art Market held at Winter Street Studios.

Favorite moments:

A psychology student trying to psychoanalyze me by way of my art. "Well, there's a lot of beige in your work...." o.O
Witnessing a troop of kids' mouths turn blue from the free blueberry candy canes given by........an anonymous artist.

No, there is no candy dish filled with blue candy canes.

Scoring this awesomely awesome cuff FO FREE from table neighbor, Hello-Lucky.

November 24: Thanksgiving yo!

Favorite moments:

Eating.

FYI, I am an amazing cookie baker. Just sayin.

November 26-27: Renegade Holiday Craft Fair in Austin

Favorite moments:

Stopping for kolaches on the road trip there AND back.

Sausage and pan sausage are your friends. Ham is not.

Vendor neighbors rallying to help this solo-travelling artist pitch up her tent. Felt like a good old fashioned barn raising. =)

Geeking out while meeting Graham Franciose and then sharing too much info while trying to pick out what I wanted to buy. "...and I gotta have this cat one cause I'm kind of a crazy cat lady..."

Trading with fellow artists and craftspeople; it's like getting FREE STUFF!

The prettiest sparkly headband from Heart Felt and the most beautifully packaged soap from Old Factory Soap Company.

This.

So, that's what I've been up to. How bout yourself?

Love

2011-11-20T23:03:00.005-06:00

I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

Thomas Doyle

Shop-a-thon

2011-11-15T09:00:00.005-06:00

Dancing Santas have been gracing store shelves for months, streets have been lined with twinkling trees for weeks and holiday music is now wafting through every retail speaker system; a lot of people can't stand how Christmas is being shoved down our throats earlier and earlier each year. However. I am not one of those people. So please bear with me while I get CHRISTMAS STUPIDLY EXCITED!!!

WHAM

This is the art market I look forward to all year. Spacetaker always puts on a great party full of food, drinks, music and fantastically curated local art. I'll be bringing my A game with tons of prints, a handful of originals, cards, necklaces and a few surprises. Don't miss it!!!

Renegade Austin

Be part of the very first ever Renegade Holiday Craft Fair in Austin! Renegade not only curates the hippest indie arts and crafts but they also know how to entertain. There's going to be a photobooth, craft station and much more. I'll be bringing my A game...again. Check it out!!!

That's it for now. So lace up those sneakers, throw a few power bars into your pockets and get a head start on your holiday shopping...cause, you know, Christmas is only 40 days away!!!

Deutschland

2011-10-27T11:48:00.000-05:00

This past summer was insane. Madness, I tell ya! After my very first out-of-state art market, a subsequent huge wholesale order*, my very first solo exhibit and a still-top-secret-super-exciting-project-I-can't-wait-to-tell-you among other things, this artist needed a little TLC...

...and she found it in....AUSTRIA und GERMANY!!!

Austria and Germany were never on my list of must visit places but...when they're on the husband's bucket list...and when said husband has done all the planning...who am I to complain. Wooo travels!

First stop: Vienna

The land of music, Mozart and most importantly, the sachertorte.

But, even MORE importantly, the land of katzenzungen; chocolates shaped like a cat's tongue. Why? I have no idea. But I do know this: I love it. I love it so bad.

And while in Vienna, I stumbled upon the cutest little chocolate shop-patisserie-coffee shop-cafe ever: Demel. Everything was so heartbreakingly beautiful; from the decor to the desserts to the packaging. I could have sat there and sucked in inspiration for hours. Literally.**

Then it was off to Germany! Hello Berlin!

There were many, many, many museum visits on our trip but one of my favorite was the Bauhaus Archive Museum. The museum presented not only the Bauhaus history and designs but also the school's courses, assignments and studies. I think I found it so fascinating because I've never attended art school and I felt like I got a glimpse into what it would be like.

And of course, I could not NOT take advantage of this beautiful night at the Brandenburg Gate to play with panoramic photos.

Next up, Munich!

When in the land of Oktoberfest and biergartens, do as the locals do: double fist it with beer and pretzels yall!***

Now, onto some little no man's land Andrew dragged me to because of their car museums...I mean...Stuttgart.

At least I found art inspiration in the unlikeliest of places: this porky Porsche.

Next...hallo Frankfurt! I have no pictures. We ate Chinese food. We turned the wrong corner and found ourselves in the land of "Eros" clubs. Use your imagination. Auf Wiedersehen Frankfurt!

Finally, the culmination of our trip...the husband's mecca...the Nurburgring.

Apparently, the Nurburgring is a race track; a legendary, highly difficult and extremely dangerous race track. And apparently, this race track is open to the public on certain days. And apparently, there is no speed limit. And apparently, any vehicle from buses to modified racing cars can simultaneously drive on this race track. And apparently, I was strapped in as passenger while the husband took his turns on this track.

I almost lost my lunch.

Hope you enjoyed this condensed recap of my little time away. And I hope to see you soon as I ramp up for another busy month. Eek!

*I am proud to say that Lisa Chow has officially infiltrated the west coast. Ok, maybe just the San Francisco area. But I am now in NINE California retail locations!!! NINE!!!

**I had my very first latte of the trip in Demel and quickly learned when you ask for skim or soy milk, you get shot down. Whole milk...or creme...for you missy. And forget about Splenda, Equal, raw sugar, simple syrup or any other sugar substitute. You're gonna take regular sugar and you're gonna like it.

***I'm actually drinking a Radler. Or, as I like to call it: a beer Sprite spritzer. Yeah...I still didn't like it. What can I say, I'm not an alcohol fan. I'll take a latte or milkshake over wine and cocktails any day.

November Madness

2011-10-13T11:00:00.001-05:00

November's gonna be crazy, yall.

This blog will probably be seriously neglected because of the following:

AIGA's 2nd Annual Ctrl+Art+Create

Saturday, November 5

10AM - 2PM

Heights Theater

339 W. 19th Street

Houston, Texas 77008

Studio Party/Opening!!!

Saturday, November 12

2PM - 5PM

Winter Street Studios

Studio 28c

2101 Winter Street

Houston, Texas 77008

Spacetaker's Winter Holiday Art Market

Friday, November 18, 6PM - 10PM

Saturday, November 19, 11AM - 8PM

Sunday, November 20, 11AM - 4PM

Winter Street Studios

2101 Winter Street

Houston, Texas 77008

Renegade Austin

Saturday, November 26-27, 11AM - 6PM

Palmer Events Center

900 Barton Springs Road

Austin, Texas 78704

As you can see, every single weekend in November is booked. So, LOTS of opportunities to see what I'm up to, to get your holiday art shopping* in and to see my lovely mug. =P

BUT. Then Lisa's taking December off to frolic in the slush**, to plan her diabolical takeover in 2012***, to pack on the holiday pounds and to get Christmas wasted****.

*I'm debuting quite a few new things for this holiday season so...get yo shop on.

**Slush is the best we can hope for in Houston. To wish for snow is just plain greedy.

***Little do you know the 2012 doomsday warnings are about ME.

****You don't understand how excited I get for Christmas. It's insane. I had 4 trees last year. I wonder how I'll one up myself this year.

60 Days

2011-10-03T23:00:00.001-05:00

Finally, the big day came: my first solo exhibit.

Exhibit to remain on display through the month of October so go check it out at Space Montrose!!!

I can't really pinpoint the exact time and reason why I chose to challenge myself to 60 days of nonstop drawing but I definitely thought it would be easier than it was. There were great days when the inspiration was flowing and then there were terrible, horrible, crap days*.

Anyways, the exhibit opening was exactly what I wanted it to be: a party.

We had art. We had an awesome playlist. We had an amazing band. We had delicious cupcakes. And we had a fantastic turnout.**

A girl could not ask for more. =)

We even had a super fan. Super fan showed up early and stayed awkwardly late. Super fan kept creeping all night taking videos and snapping candid photos. Super fan even made off with half a dozen cupcakes at the end of the night.

If you run into this Super fan...well, consider yourself warned...

Meet Momma Chow.

Dun dun DUN.

*Leave it to my friends to create a game where the goal is to guess which drawing was my least inspired and most crap. With friends like that...

**Unfortunately, we also have limited photos. I was too busy chatting, mingling and cupcake hoarding to remember my camera. These photos are courtesy of my super fan.

Chicagoland

2011-09-20T13:18:00.004-05:00

It's been about a week since returning from my trip to Chicago for the Renegade Craft Fair so I guess I'm long overdue for a RECAP:

First, I kicked off my trip with some mandatory Magnificent Mile shopping where I ran into Woody. *insert distasteful joke* So, I did what any good tourist would do and struck a pose. Thereby, marking the start to many more embarrassing situations I would be putting my much appreciated, wonderful friend, booth bitch...ahem, booth buddy..., Amy, through.

You can take the girl out of Texas but you can't...avoid...the cowboys?

After an exhaustive day of shopping, Amy and I treated ourselves to an obligatory deep dish pizza. Look at that crispy pie crust. Feast your eyes upon that ooey gooey filling of cheese, sausage and veggies. Savor the ripe, red tomato sauce. Both Amy and I agreed it was...mediocre. Dare I say, I prefer.......New York style pizza?!?!!? =X

Leave it to this slightly lactose intolerant, soy milk drinking girl to complain it was "too cheesy".

The next morning, we woke up from our cheese hangovers to the first day of Renegade Craft Fair goodness!!! Prior to my Houston departure, I learned how to take panoramic photos with my camera. Big mistake. I was amusing myself with panoramic opportunities all weekend long. And as you can see below, I even enlisted Amy to bring my panoramic creative vision to life. It's three Lisas!!!

Shortly after this photo was taken, Amy deserted me.

After two days of Renegade madness, Lisa and Amy took advantage of the following morning to sit back and relax.

And to cap off a fun filled weekend, Lisa and Amy decided to celebrate by...no, not toasting...no, not with cake...but with buying SWATCHES!!!

Go, go Power Rangers! Yeah!

Party Schmarty

2011-09-08T13:12:00.009-05:00

I love art. I appreciate art. But I couldn't claim to be an art connoisseur. I am not one of those people who can stand around pondering a piece of art for 30 minutes. I am not one of those people who can carry an elaborate intelligent conversation about art. Even when I find myself completely enamored with an exhibit, my visits are short and go like this:

Enter exhibit
Do a quick once over of all the pieces
Go back to the ones I especially liked for a few seconds
See if there’s any free food or libations I would want
Stand around because I feel like I shouldn't be “done” yet
Leave after 5 minutes

I’m sorry. It’s taboo. But. I find most art openings boring.

Which is exactly why, for my very first solo exhibition, I refuse to allow my opening be a boring one.

ME WANT PARTY.

I am SUPER excited to reveal what I have in store for you...

60 days of original drawings plus prints of said drawings
an awesome playlist compiled by yours truly
Mmm Cupcakes for all
home baked chocolate chip cookies (you better be early cause these babies will go fast...into my belly)
Winter Wallace band playing live...for two sets

It is my dream opening full of my favorite things.

So please, please, PLEASE come to my party. Consider this your very special, exclusive, VIP, personal invite. ;) See you October 1!!!

Backsies

2011-08-29T17:47:00.005-05:00

Ok, I take it back. I take it all back.

Thanks to Netflix, I discovered the delightful PBS Art21 series. And after watching a few episodes and learning about these world renown artists and discovering what makes these artists tick...

...ARTISTS ARE NUTSO...

coo-coo coo-coo coo-coo

My coo-coo contribution for the day.

Stride

2011-08-26T14:45:00.010-05:00

Probably THE MOST frustrating and doubt inducing* art objective I struggle with is finding my personal artistic style. And probably THE WORST way of finding it is to look at other people's work**.

My 60 days of drawing challenge is helping me confirm what I love drawing the most.

Too many times I have found myself second guessing what I do after looking at*** too much art. Let me give you just a little taste of things I find myself thinking when I've inundated my brain with too much gallery visiting, museum hopping and internet surfing:

- I don't paint well enough.

- I don't draw realistic enough.

- Brighter colors.

- More shock value.

- Maybe I should go abstract; abstract seems to do well.

- That seems to be popular; perhaps I should go that route.

- Nothing here looks like what I do.

That. Last. Statement. That statement is the stuff of my nightmares. It is giving me premature worry lines. Yet...

That last statement is keeping me warm at night. It is giving me fuzzy feelings that maybe...just maybe...there's a special place for me yet.

Merging just about everything I love into one: homes, animals, quirk

And there are certainly days when I still question my 'style'****. But I am coming to terms that maybe...just maybe...I'm one of the lucky ones where I hit my style on the head pretty much from the get-go*****.

Buildings. Rabbits. Animals. Pretty. Subdued colors.

New oils. Same old rabbit.

So while some people stride, some people swagger and some people strut, I skip******............to the beat of my own drum.

*I know I bitch and moan about a lot of things but I bet THIS is the underlying root of 80% of those other things I bitch and moan about. And 80% of the time, I'm right every time.

**But I'm NOT recommending not looking at other people's work. A smart artist is an educated artist. And an educated artist knows what's going on in the art world. I am not a smart artist. Working on it.

***And ultimately comparing myself to other artists. Comparing is a hop away from competing. And there really is no use competing in art...despite every overachieving, 3rd grade spelling bee champion, 3.9 GPA (yeah, you heard right. WHAT.), Type A fiber of my being.

****Especially on days when someone asks me, "Are you still exploring or have you settled on your look?" What do you mean SETTLED?!?!?!!

*****Before you think I have an inflated head and ego, I am CONSTANTLY learning, fine tuning, evolving and all that other good stuff a real artist is suppose to do.

******And trip over my own feet and face plant like Olivier on Project Runway. Did you see that?!?! He ate it so bad. So bad it was...AWESOME.

If You Build It

2011-08-15T10:55:00.004-05:00

Today marks seven months since I gave corporate America the middle finger* and said "You don't own me anymore!"**.

Let's do a quick recap of the past seven***:

Post employment high ~fist pumps~
First big $ commission woohoo
Long spurts of doubt boohoo
Shown art in various shops/shows exposure!
Met with a gallerist and didn't get laughed at success!
Never heard back from gallerist reject
Participated in some neato arts/crafts markets cha-ching
Became internationally known like Will Smith...ok not quite
Paid myself ~cries uncontrollably~
Got a blurb in a magazine ~self back pats~
Started painting oils <3
Optimistic about the future =D

Needless to say, it's been a fun seven months. I still get days when I question everything I'm doing and wonder about my own sanity. But then there are great days that completely obliterate those doubtful days.

AND

I've got some really exciting things in the works. Exciting things that tell me I'm on the right track. Exciting things that tell me to keep persisting****. Exciting things to be revealed very soon...cue...

...ANNOYING CLIFFHANGER...

*In the retelling of my final departure, I like to tell people that I strolled in wearing my finest bathrobe, incited a rebellion in the cafeteria, graffitied my office, left angry messages for those who sucked, kicked a computer, smashed a printer and left slow-mo walking backwards while middle finger pumping my fists in the air. Whereas, in reality, I bid everyone a cordial adieu, shook hands, patted backs, awkward hugged and smiled the entire time. I'm a weenie.

**And in doing so, I inadvertently caused myself to not own much in the near future cause...you know...an uneducated, inexperienced artist is not very highly sought after.

***What you are about to read is the blog equivalent of a sitcom's clip show.

****Apparently, you can take the girl out of business but you can't take the business out of the girl. I think, despite all my lamentations, my business degree gives me an advantage in this crazy art world where too many talented artists rely solely on their work to speak for itself. World, meet...The Business Artist. omgoxymoronmindblown

60 Days

2011-08-03T08:47:00.005-05:00

It is really hard to stay motivated when you work for yourself; there's no scary boss to answer to, no deadlines that need to be met, no fear of being fired. Instead, there are buckets of distractions and laziness to go around. Want some? I've got plenty to spare.

07/29/11

Which is why I have to constantly motivate myself with endless to-do lists and by....challenging myself to a...60 drawing-a-day exhibit.

07/31/11

Say what?!??!?!?!

That's right. I'm either genius or insane.

07/26/11

I am challenging myself to draw one drawing a day for the next 60 days. Then, on October 1st, I will either exhibit the culmination of my 60 day challenge or showcase my epic failure at Space Montrose. Either way, it's gonna be a party!

White Linen Night 2011

2011-08-01T16:51:00.004-05:00

It's August...which can only mean one thing...

It's hot.

Oh yeah, and it's White Linen Night in the Heights again!!!

Saturday, August 6th

6PM-10PM

Sterling Bank Parking Lot @ 414 West 19th Street, Houston, TX 77008

I will have a bunch of prints, cards and new little necklaces. Be sure to stop by the artist tents! And then be sure to party hardy during this once a year neighborhood event. If last year is any indication, it's going to be one crazy night.

To Be Or Not To Be

2011-07-25T19:10:00.003-05:00

As I dig myself deeper into this art career and as I learn more about this crazy art industry, I am realizing I will need to make some very important and difficult decisions:

Dialogue or decorative?*

To sell out or to not sell out?**

Artist or illustrator?***

Fine tuning an "illustration" piece I intend to turn into prints.

While I have always dreamt of being taken seriously as a fine artist, to have my work featured in notable galleries and to eventually earn the respect of...anyone; fine art is also an extremely rough road, not always successful and not often lucrative. On the other hand, I have also dreamt of seeing my work in lights, seeing it available to people (even if they can't afford pricey originals) and making a living off what I enjoy. But, that path can also result in diluting the artwork and turning me into a sellout**.

And while I'm still weighing the pros and cons, I find the same thought popping up in my head over and over again:

Why can't I have both?

Why can't I do it all?

Why can't I have my cake and eat it too, damnit!?

So, here goes nothing...and here I go...to stuff my face.****

*Do I have a message to convey? Or is it just pretty to look at?

**Whatever that even means.

***Apparently, this can be a touchy subject in the art world. Can't we all just get along?

****Which entails: 1) Differentiating my "fine art" pieces from my "illustration" pieces 2) Updating the website 3) New business cards 4) And butt loads more

This Blog Sucks

2011-07-19T16:45:00.010-05:00

But I'm going to do better.

I know I've been slacking on the blogging lately...ok, for the past couple of months...OK, ever since January. And I could try insulting your intelligence by giving some lame excuse about being too busy or having writer's block or that my fingers have seized up and I'm currently suffering from a bout of triggerfingeritis*. But the truth is...I just haven't felt like writing.

One of my latest. Quite a departure from some of my previous stuff.

HOWEVER, I was browsing through some of my bookmarked artist blogs and I was reminded of why I honestly like and want to continue this blog.

Cowboys and Indians anyone?

Reasons I Blog:

1. I wanna be real. I read other artists' blogs and too many of them have a schtick. They're either I'm-so-quirky-I-live-in-the-forest-and-twirl-in-happy-sunshine hippies or I'm-so-deeply-deep-and-my-life-is-full-of-suffering-depression dramakings** or something equaling eyeball roll inducing. I write to keep it real. There have been a few times I'll start writing something and I'll think to myself, "Self. You sound like a pretentious asshole." and then I have to reevaluate. I write to let you know, there are artists out there who (try to) keep it real.

2. I want to connect with you...and not in a creepy way. I want to share with you why I paint what I paint, where my focus is taking me, what I'm learning, where I'm struggling, what I'm working on and how I'm evolving. My favorite blogs connect me to the writer. And you connecting with my art is fantastic. You connecting with my art and me...well, that's just double the pleasure.

3. I want to laugh at myself. This blog is the closest thing I have to a diary. And just like diary entries, I often read back something I had posted long ago and I cringe. "Why would I write that? Wow, talk about overshare. Your mom reads this!!!" I don't take too many things seriously and that includes myself.

"Don't Underestimate the Fat Kid"

So, I'm going to try. I can't promise how often. I can't promise it'll always be good. But I have a renewed desire to try to not have a sucky blog.

And now I'm starting to ramble...which can only mean...

I'M BACK, BABY!!!

Lots of new stuff in the works! Stay tuned!!!***

*Not entirely untrue. I am currently nursing carpal tunnel-like symptoms in my right wrist. Ironic that I experience repetitive wrist issues as an artist but never in my years chained to a desk and keyboard. That just goes to show you how much work I really did at my former real job.

**I don't know why girls get such a bad rep. Some of the most self involved, self victimizing, emo, whine babies I have ever met have been men.

***If you want latest updates and you aren't a Facebook fan, what are you waiting for?! Seriously, I update there way more often than here.

At First Sight

2011-07-11T23:06:00.001-05:00

Falling...

...falling...
...that's it. I'm a goner.

Fiona Rae. My new love.

Summer Days

2011-06-29T09:20:00.003-05:00

What have I been up to?

Self Congratulating:

My commission for Whole Foods Market prominently on display by the checkout lanes.

Commissioning:

A revision of my oldie but goodie: Free

Rejecteding:

Screw you, Lawndale!...until next year that is. =) But check out my reject (along with several other rejects) at Gallery M Squared this Friday, July 1 at 6:30PM. Vote for your favorite (mine) and I win a prize! =D

Mess Making:

Self explanatory

Oil Painting:

I am finally facing my oil paint phobia. And I must say, I'm better at this than I would have thought. Self back patting.

Foodie

2011-06-22T19:17:00.006-05:00

I was recently commissioned to create a piece for the brand spankin new Whole Foods located in one of my favorite Houston neighborhoods.

When I learned of the commission, I was extremely excited,

"You want a 3 feet by 3 feet original painting on wood panel and the design* is entirely up to me?!"

But in true neurotic Lisa form, the excitement quickly wormed its way into nervous nail biting,

"You want a 3 feet by 3 feet** original painting on wood panel*** and the design is entirely up to me****?!"

In progress preview

However, I finished and safely delivered my baby to her new home last week. I haven't seen where Whole Foods decided to display my piece (I can only hope it is not in the bathroom), so why don't you join me at the Artist Reception this Friday and we'll all learn where together?

Artist Reception this Friday, June 24 from 5:30pm-7:30pm at the new Whole Foods Market in Montrose.

701 Waugh Drive

Houston, Texas 77019

*Their simple request was to create something that represented what the Houston Heights/Montrose area meant to me.

**By far, the largest painting I have ever done.

***I am most comfortable working on wood's distant cousin, paper. BUT, this commission has revealed a new found love of working on wood. Look forward to wood paintings in the near future.

****That's a bit o' pressure. I tried several versions before I settled on the final image that felt true to my style, true to what Heights/Montrose represents and true to Whole Foods.

Indian Summer

2011-06-13T12:18:00.002-05:00

I've been sketching up a storm. Lots of unexpected jolts of inspiration.

It's looking like it will be an indian summer indeed...

...with a dash of carnival, a dab of circus, a touch of...Vegas?

...and while we're at it. Let's just cap it all off with a little Parisian fling.

Getting Real

2011-06-03T14:20:00.007-05:00

I used to get frustrated with my own drawings because I could never quite achieve the photorealism so many other artists seemed to flaunt. I would look at an object and...to my eye...form the same shapes, follow the same lines...yet, for some reason, my drawings never looked quite real enough. My drawings always look a little too...delicate?...or soft?...or...something.

But now.

To hell with photorealism. I'll leave that for the photographers.

I draw, damnit.

And I draw pretty.

Latest creation. I think...something may be missing...but maybe not...

We came. We saw. We CONQUERED.

2011-05-24T18:25:00.012-05:00

Sort of.

Renegade Austin was every bit as amazingly fun as I thought it would be. If you managed to swing by, this is what you would have found:

1. I loved the ribbons I used to spruce up my tent. Next time, MORE RIBBONS. Added bonus, during the multiple times I found myself lost in the sea of booths and tents, all I had to do was look for the fluorescent ribbons to guide me home.

2. Not to pat myself on the back again...but I will anyways. I am digging my clothesline display. Finally, I figured out an easy way to display all my prints all at once.

3. You do not understand how much this crooked tablecloth bothered me all weekend. By the time I noticed it, it was too late and I was too lazy to correct. A weekend spent fuming > lifting a few display boxes to rectify* the situation.

4. Brand spankin new t-shirts. I may need to incorporate more screenprinted items in the near future.

5. And this, ladies and gents, is where my mug spent the majority of Saturday and Sunday...looking forlornly for husband to return with coffee and nourishment.

I had a great time and I hope everyone who stopped by did too. I'm hoping to be back for the Renegade Austin holiday show aannnnd I just submitted my application for Renegade Chicago. [fingers crossed]

A few highlights from the weekend:

1. Robot dancing with kid who loved my robot paper house.

2. Stuffing face at some of Austin's finest trailers.

3. Discovering mint green nail polish club that I am unknowingly a member of.

4. THIS monstrosity. I CONQUERED. I CONQUERED THIS SO BAD**.

*I have ALWAYS loved the word 'rectify'. You wanna guess why? Rectify. RECT-ify. [giggle]

**No, seriously. It has been decided that I, Lisa Chow, am master of eating ridiculously big ice cream sandwiches. The loss of cookie crumbs and melty ice cream drops were exceedingly minimal considering the temperature and humidity.

The Fat Lady Sang

2011-05-17T21:53:00.008-05:00

...and she did not sing for me.

BUT, not to be deterred, Lisa is keeping busy and moving on.

First up: Feverishly working to print, package, pack and panic* for this weekend's Renegade Craft Fair in my alma mater town of Austin, Texas. I am ridiculously excited for this event. I find myself constantly daydreaming about the fabulous new things I'll buy, all the glorious trailer food I'll eat, the delicious sleep I'll grab in the car while my minion...err, husband...drives my carriage AND all the rain making** I'll be doing once my items surge in demand.

If you're in Austin (and even if you're not), you should definitely come. I'll have new stuff. Are you enticed, yet?

Also keeping me busy: Putting together my installation at Space, a cool exhibition style retail space. I'm pretty excited about this little project because for the very first time, a store gave me free reign to design how my items would be displayed. And I must say...I'm good...and it looks fantastic.

Note my hot pink price tags match perfectly with the hot pink overhead lights? Pretty clever if intentional, huh? Unfortunately, it was coincidental.

And finally, just because I've had these progress photos of my custom Munny lurking around my camera for a while now, I figured I'd waste some more Blogger space and some more of your time by posting them here.

Acquiring

Ideaing

Completing

*How's that for alliteration? Mild mannered my moustache. I did it again! =D

**Making it rain? Get it? Geeeet it? I can't pull that off can I?

VOTE FOR LISA!!

2011-05-09T09:26:00.015-05:00

I'm that girl. The one picked last in gym class*. The one who ran for class Historian because no one else did**. The one once described as "mild mannered" by her English teacher***.

And now, that girl is competing head on with 4 other artists to secure a spot in the upcoming Neopopstreetfunk 3 art gallery show. And that girl wants it. She wants it so bad.

Strike the competition! (Number 11 of the 40 drawings I challenged myself to complete.)

BUT, I'm going to go ahead and say it. I'm probably the underdog.

Let's count the ways:

1. I'm up against a Houston street artist (and street art is gaining HUGE popularity here).

2. Said street artist has a prominent street art FILM rallying for him. Did I mention said street artist was also mentioned IN the film?

3. Another artist has a hip Houston business rallying for him.

4. From what I can deduce, all other artists have more Facebook friends than I.

And once again, this girl is competing in a grown up popularity contest. Egad!

Uh...make the competition invisible? (A modest little commission I'm working on.)

So, what am I going to do?

I am going to call on you, fellow freaks and geeks****, to go against nature and vote for the unathletic, unpopular, quiet girl...because who else will bring you gems like a barfing Home Alone house?

Make them sick! (Number 12)

Now, to vote*****, please click the following link to "like" Neopopstreetfunk's Facebook page: here

And then, vote for me by clicking this link and "liking" my album on their page: here

Thank you fellow mouth breathers******!!!

*AFTER the new girl! C'MON!!!! I got picked after the NEW girl?!?!?!?! Insulting.

**There's no way I would've won President. Not only was I not cool enough with the cool kids, I wasn't cool enough with the nerd kids...who are the only ones who vote in school elections.

***In a recommendation letter no less!!! I believe the rest of the sentence went something like..."mild mannered, as customary in her culture..." Kids, can you say "ethnic stereotyping"?

****I have decided I am going to model my future parenting style after Freaks and Geeks' Mr. Weir. "Don't smoke pot. I had a friend who smoked pot and now he's DEAD!" "Don't stop studying. I had a cousin who stopped studying and now she's DEAD!" "Don't line your lower lash line. I had a coworker who lined her lower lash line and she EXPLODED!"

*****Only if you are voting for me. Otherwise...clicking these links will cause your computer to spontaneously implode. Kablamo! Voting ends Friday, 5/13.

******While you're at it, "like" my page will ya: here

Renegade!!!

2011-05-05T21:35:00.005-05:00

Ohmygodohmygodohmygod...it's almost RENEGADE TIME!!! My absolute, favoritest fair that I participate in (and attend) (and shop at) (and where I ogle at others' creative geniusness).

So seriously. Be there. You'll be sorry if you miss it*.

*And when you see my photos of all the amazingness that went on without you, I will be forced to say "I told you so, big dummy."

Happy Birthday...to ME!

2011-05-02T17:29:00.000-05:00

It's my party and I'll...

...eat vegan orange cranberry cookies* if I want to...

...wear narwhals** if I want to...

...poke holes in maps*** if I want to...

...you would CAKE too if it happened to yoooouuuuu!

*My favorite vegan orange cranberry cookie from Sinfull Bakery. I'm not one to jump on the vegan/vegetarian/pescetarian/won't-eat-yummy-meaty-animal-flesh-atarian bandwagon but I'm not one to thumb my nose at it either. Especially when it's this delicious. Mmm...sweet, sweet, fake bean butter delicious.

**My new favorite necklace from the fantabulous Kristen of Frilled and Feathered. Fun as a statement piece...invaluable as an impromptu self defense weapon.

***A new map to chart where my art has travelled. I just need Asia, Africa and Antarctica...and I'll have all the continents covered. C'mon penguins!

Dear Diary

2011-04-25T15:14:00.001-05:00

One of the most dreaded questions I receive as an artist is:

What is the meaning behind this painting?*

Often, when I encounter this question, my answer is vague and followed by nervous laughter. It's not because I don't have a real answer...it's because...well, how can I explain this...

[Get comfortable. This one's a doozy.]

It's a well known fact that many artist's use their art as a form of therapy. Instead of yelling at loved ones, punching walls, binging on drugs, driving off bridges, wallowing in self pity and other such lovely events...many artists choose to release and unleash through colors, shapes and the creation of something better.

From personal experience...often times...every brushstroke, every line, every shade carries with it many tears, gritted teeth, white knuckles and furrowed brows**.

Looks innocent enough but did you know this drawing was inspired by prepubescent nights of playing love songs on the boombox, hoping somewhere, some pretty boy crush heard me?...and then the bitterness that ensued?

And I'm not really sure why so much art is inspired by bad times instead of good***. Let's just say...when you're happy...the last thing you need is to hole up in your studio stooped over a canvas by your lonesome self.

So when someone points at one of my drawings and asks me what the meaning is; it's as if I was just asked to open up my diary and start reading aloud.

*A close second would be, "So, what's your real job?"

**And I'm not even that deep. Can you imagine the really troubled wackos out there???

***I know my art is all fairy tales and bubblegum on the surface but if I dig deep enough, there's usually something there. It can be something as simple and powerful as "Who ate the last slice of cake?! ANGST!!!"

I Love Sketchbook

2011-04-19T12:41:00.006-05:00

Sometimes, I find I like my sketches more than the final finished product. Sketches capture the magic of inspiration just as it happens...[to sound very snotty-art-snobby for a moment]...sketches are more raw.

This sketch probably took me less than 3 minutes to scratch out while the image was still fresh in my head. The quality is obviously lacking. But...and maybe it's just me because it's my sketch...it feels more free.

Sketching with highlighters and markers*.

And while I love the more detailed, polished look of the final image; it looks almost too controlled and tight**.

"Mass Exodus"

But, not all sketches are created equal.

House inspired by San Francisco's "Painted Ladies", Full House and Tam.

Sometimes, sketches need way more refining before it can be presentable.

"Flood"

So, in conclusion, I really don't know what my point is. But I hope you enjoyed flipping through my virtual sketchbook! =D

Oh, and in other non-interesting news, I realized I draw like I eat my sandwiches***; from the outside in.

*I hear highlighters and markers are what tattoo artists use to sketch on your skin. [foreshadowing]

**That's what she said? Fail.

***Sandwiches are my favorite food. Next to desserts.

Score

2011-04-10T18:24:00.008-05:00

Awesome perk of being an artist: the artist discount

Sweet talked my way to a little Lisa Marie Godfrey

Trading, bartering and bargaining with other artists for their work...it's gonna be a new little past time of mine.

Surprise custom drawing from Melissa Juvan

Slowly but surely, I WILL build up my art collection.

New home for albino kitty.

This is gonna take a while.

Horsie

2011-04-01T07:21:00.000-05:00

I bake cookies the way I would want to eat them. (extra chips) I teach yoga the way I would want to take it. (extra flowy) I treat others the way I would want to be treated. (extra gifts...hint hint) So, it should come as no surprise, I create art the way I would want to view it.

I like art that I can understand. I like art that I can appreciate without having to read hoity-toity theories, artist statements, missions, yadda yadda yadda, coughbullshitcough to understand. I like art that grabs my attention because I can immediately connect with it; not after I am told how to connect with it.

On view at Peel Gallery.

That's why I like Larassa Kabel. I get it. Giant horses. Giant, skillfully rendered, photo realistic horses. Cooooool.

Hater Recap

2011-03-28T14:00:00.000-05:00

Mine

Jessica Rice

Michael C. Rodriguez

Matt Messinger

Me again

Clearly, I did not get the memo that we could paint on the walls. Doh.*

*I WILL find another wall. Volunteers?

**I'm missing photos of Veronica Ramos' and Matthew Oberpriller's work. But trust me...equally fantastic. Check it out at Spacetaker (2101 Winter Street, Studio B11, Houston, TX 77007). Up till April 8.

Hate is Great

2011-03-23T20:53:00.004-05:00

I'll have some new pieces up (yay me). And who could hate a magazine named Hater?

Sounds like a good time full of music and free booze. So be there or be...hated?*

*I'm due for a new blog post. And I have one planned. IF ONLY A CERTAIN BROWN CLAD COURIER SERVICE WOULD BRING ME MY DANG BOXES ALREADY.

Skins*

2011-03-15T16:07:00.006-05:00

I have often toyed with the idea of getting a tattoo.**

A few reasons have stopped me thus far:

1. Unsure what to get.

2. Unsure where to get it.

3. Unsure who to go to.

4. Unsure how high my pain tolerance is.***

5. Unsure of being unsure.

But one very big reason keeps egging me on to get some ink:

1. To one day hear, "Grandma has a tattoo?! Ewwwwwwwww...."

And that is why, I have to send huge kudos to the two brave souls who not only knew their answers to all the questions I keep posing to myself, but who also chose MY ART to have permanently etched onto their bodies.

You ladies are either extremely brave or ferociously insane.

I like to think you're bravely insane. =)

And in less permanent style, I executed my very first body painting request.

While belly painting was a very neato first experience...it was also very strange and verged on uncomfortable****. I do not foresee a lot of body painting in my future.

*No. Not, that crappy MTV show. Complete and udder crap. I want to punch each and every single character.

**If you are in any way related to me...you didn't just read that. Tattoo is code word for...frozen yogurt. Yeah... I want fro yo so bad.

***For fro yo headaches.

****But I was happy to do it for you, unnamed anonymous painting subject!!!

I'm a Carny.

2011-03-09T22:49:00.014-06:00

And you are all rubes*.

Current happenings: Artwork up at Waldo's through March

During the jumps, I plan and create.

Then the big day comes and I arrive at the lot to find the roustabouts scrambling around to pitch the big tops.

I may ask a family member or friend to play the shill.

I throw a straight game.

Then it's time to slough and ride the next jump.

{This is a long winded, convoluted** way of announcing the Second Saturdays Craftacular that I'll be participating in this Saturday at 1028 Studewood, Houston, TX 77008. 11AM - 3PM. Be there. And maybe, just maybe, I'll have homebaked chocolate chip cookies***.}

*I have been reading Water for Elephants (fantastic, by the way) and apparently, circus slang has invaded my mind. And apparently, I can butcher circus slang like none other...hold on to your hats!

**But really...the whole art market process has a certain traveling circus magical quality to it doesn't it?

***I don't really think you're rubes. And I don't really have shills...except for the few times a certain unnamed individual may have stood by my work professing their love for it a little too loudly. Certain unnamed individuals who have a penchant for chocolate chip cookies. Chocolate chip cookies during CHRIStmas, perhaps? Hmmm????

Confessions

2011-03-03T13:27:00.013-06:00

1. I was a booger eater...and I tried Play-Doh* once.

2. I snore. Loudly.

I paid to watch the Rockcats. Does this make me a crazy cat lady?

3. I hated my name as a child. I wanted to be called Amy**.

4. Sometimes, I drive by my old office just to laugh.

To be fair...all proceeds went to charity. Eh? =)

5. I still don't feel like a real artist***.

6. I used to blog at work. Now that my working hours are spent drawing and painting; there's little time left for blogging. So, please pardon my blog suckiness.

*Which oddly tastes a lot like boogers.

**I subsequently acquired an Aunt Amy and a bridesmaid Amy so any future name changes are out.

***When asked what I do for a living, I stare meekly at my shoes and mutter something about painting. I need conviction. I need my "Aha!" moment.

Lisapalooza

2011-02-25T15:08:00.008-06:00

Warning: If you can't stomach tacky self-promotion, skip down to the bottom of this post for a cat-tastic surprise.

Disclaimer*: There will be no cute animals (pretty sure it's a health code violation), you will see no sparkles (if you do, you should probably find a doctor) and no attack robots will be present (OR WILL THEY????????? No. No, they really won't.). What you WILL find, is a coffee house with Lisa's art stuff thrown up all over the walls. Lots of prints (new and old), a couple originals and...between the hours of 6 and 8 on Sunday, March 6th...one caffeinated artist. A guaranteed good time!

And now...for the surprise:

CATS WITH MOUSTACHES?!!?!?!?!?!??

OH. MY. GAWD. IT'S A CAT PIRATE!!!!

The best thing since sliced bread.

AND IT HAS A WOODEN LEG! HAHAHAHAHAHA! IT KILLS!!! HAHAHAHA!

*Oh yeah, I went there. COMIC SANS. Or...the closest Apple approximation...Apple Casual.

Hello-Lucky!

2011-02-21T19:02:00.007-06:00

Saturday was a fantastic day. Let me count the ways*...

1. Beautiful weather. In Houston, that is a big deal.

2. Fantastic morning yoga class. Plus, some fantastic yoga news**.

A few of my favorite yoginis.

3. Snagging the last cranberry orange muffin.

4. Perfectly sweet iced latte.

New works on display at Hello-Lucky

5. Afternoon arting.

6. Evening art opening. Thanks to every single person who came out!

On display at Hello-Lucky through March 26

7. Chocolate coins.

I really, really love my kaleidoscope.

8. Friends who happy.

9. Thai food. Family style. There is no other way.

Houston posse.

10. And capping it all off with CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE! RAWR!***

*I rhyme sublime. Perhaps, in time. I'll...eat a lime and...learn to mime?

**Little known Lisa fact: I moonlight as a yoga instructor aaaand I am officially teaching a regular class again!

***Rawring is the only way to eat cake.

Bunny Slopes

2011-02-16T21:39:00.000-06:00

Five day hiatus in the mountains. A little sun...a little ski...a little snow...

And a blueberry muffin top!!!

Ahhhhh. Back to work.

You Suck, Glen Coco

2011-02-09T13:25:00.010-06:00

Love songs fill the radio waves. Storefronts and classrooms are washed in shades of pink and red. Jewelers increase their markups. Chocolate sales go through the roof. Florists make a killing.

Ah, sweet love, it's Valentine's Day.

FrenetiCore's Anti-Love Party: where I will have 4 love themed pieces up for auction

Valentine stems all the way back to elementary classroom parties where the rule was you either bring a Valentine card for everyone or no one at all. And because you didn't want to be a killjoy and because your parents didn't want the "uninvolved" label, everyone always gave everyone something. At the end of the day, your tiny backpack overflowed with candies and cards and you felt like the most loved kid in the entire school district.

Little did you know, soon, the "all or none" rule disappears. And until you grow up and find yourself a spouse/partner who hopefully isn't one of those "holidays suck" type, for a brief moment in time, you are left at the mercy of one giant popularity contest.

Shot Me Down

High school. It was the bane of my adolescent existence.

Cupid's a Bitch

Like any teenage girl, I loved Valentine's Day. It was a day of dressing up in a special outfit. It was a day to dole out little gifts to your girl friends. It was a day of anticipation to see how many carnations were secretly sent to you. It was a day to see which cute boy would finally profess his love for you. It was a day to walk around school with your arms full of stuffed animals, flowers and balloons. It was a day to feel like the most special, pretty, loved girl in the entire school district.

Except. Year after year, I got bupkis.

Cold Outside

I wasn't the popular girl. I wasn't the cute girl. I wasn't even the ok friend of the cute girl.

I was the girl you compared notes with. I was the girl you accidentally ran into because you didn't notice her*. I was the girl you asked to watch your stuff. History project? I was the girl you wanted in your group.

Sweet Talk

So, here is my Valentine's Day PSA:

If you are in highschool and you're a cool kid, enjoy it while it lasts. Popularity never extends beyond the 12th grade.

And if you are a loser, just be patient. You have a lifetime of resentment and bitterness ahead of you.

*Or, if you're really lucky...one of those boys will notice you. He'll notice you just long enough to grab you by the backpack and use you as a battering ram to navigate his way through the congested school hallways. Not that I would know...

McFlurries

2011-02-06T21:04:00.007-06:00

Despite The Great Houston Icemageddon of 2011, I traversed* slushy roads alongside Super Bowl bound revelers, to arrive in Dallas for the Strangely Sweet show at We Are 1976.

My chauffeur.

Even though I knew from stalking their website that We Are 1976 is an amazing store...I didn't know just how amazing until I finally made my way there. What kidrobot is in New York...Domy Books is in Houston...We Are 1976 is in Dallas.

My DFW posse. Thank you, guys!!!

And I was so incredibly honored to have been art showing alongside established Dallas artist, Jason Cohen.

Jason really knows how to put on a show.

After all the wine had been drunk, shrimp chips eaten and Love Letter cookies snatched one by one by an unnamed artist who may or may not have then hidden in a corner to gobble them up, it was time for this weary traveler to call it a night.

And how does any self respecting artist end an exhilarating night of artistdom...artisthood...artistwhoring?

It's a glamorous life.

In her hotel room...by 11pm...still fully dressed...with an Oreo** McFlurry. Mmm mmm art.

*Ok, husband traversed the slick roads while I mouth breathe slept.

**Butterfinger would've been better.

Say What?

2011-01-31T20:04:00.003-06:00

When I say, "I'm an artist." People hear...

"I am unemployed."

"I am a housewife."

"I am a lazy, useless sponge."

So, to prove* my days aren't spent cat napping, watching bad talk shows, cleaning house and caring for a baby, here is a chronology of today's events.

A Typical Lisa Monday

8AM: Corresponding

Sketching

Commissioning

Varnishing

12 PM: Lunching / Fueling

Attempted Woodworking

Arting

Printing

More Arting

7PM: Girl Friending / Ruckusing / Hyena Laughing / Dessert Sharing

TVing / Husbanding / Coach Potatoing

12AM: Recharging

*I have nothing to prove anyways. I've been in your business casually clad shoes. I know your days are spent Facebook stalking and Words With Friendsing!!!

Good Riddance

2011-01-25T11:15:00.000-06:00

As some of you know...and as many of you may have guessed...I have done the unthinkable in a time and economy like ours.

I have quit my job.

FREEEEEDOMMMMM!!!!!! And it tastes so sweet.

Against all parental advice, my own rational judgement, sound reason and sheer common sense, I have chosen to walk away from my five year stint as an IT analyst*. And while I have been relishing my new occupational freedom, now that I've had a week to digest and assess my professional situation, there are a few things I do miss about the old 9 to 5:

1. Daily social interactions: Working for myself by myself is a lonely profession. And as much as I try, Bill just isn't much of a conversationalist. As a matter of fact, I have learned he spends most of his daytime hours sleeping in the big people bed, basking in warm sun spots and DRINKING TOILET WATER.

This is the face of a dirty toilet bowl water drinker. For shame.

2. Office gossip: Who's secretly dating whom? She did what to get where she is? How do you know his personal life is in the crapper? Who's pregnant!? Who's getting married?! YOU SAW WHO WEARING A MUSCLE SHIRT AND SPANDEX SHORTS AND DOING SQUATS AT THE GYM?!

3. Free Keurig coffee: I don't have a coffee maker and all instant coffee** mixes I've tried have tasted like swill. SWILL!

New toy. New drawing.

4. Corporate credit card: Even though my purchases had to be job relevant, I loved spending money knowing the bill wasn't coming to me. And the few times I got to travel and eat on the company dime? Fan-freakin-tastic. Somewhere out there is an expense report with Sprinkles cupcakes, bubble tea and P.F. Chang's*** on it.

5. Covered parking: At home, my poor car is forced to squat in a dirt driveway. It's only protection from the elements being a few far reaching branches which are the popular haunt of a few poop filled birds and a handful of nut throwing squirrels.

"When it Pours"

And of course, I miss a few of the good coworkers****.

Oh, and I suppose I miss financial stability, paid vacation days, retirement plans, health benefits, actually making use of my hard earned degree........

*I know. IT? As in information technology, Lisa? Say whaaaaat??? Yeah, I have no idea how I found myself analyzing code, drafting technical specs, monitoring transactions, implementing applications, introducing knowledge management changes, blah blah blah ohmygod I just bored myself to death.

**Quite interested in this new Starbucks VIA stuff. Any good? And yeah yeah, I know...big corporate blah blah blah. Well, show me an independent coffee brewer making instant coffee and I'll bite.

***I was working in Dallas on a Friday night and decided takeout Chinese, bad TV and fluffy hotel down pillows sounded like a fine way to spend the evening. I arrived at P.F. Chang's and was directed to place my takeout order at the bar full of cozy couples and rowdy happy hourers. When my crab rangoon and dan dan noodles arrived, the waitress inquired, "Do you need silverware?" My response, "Yes.......TWO!!!" I lied.

****Not YOU, Amy Bitchguli. Oh yeah. I went there..................cowardly and passive aggresively on a blog.

Babies

2011-01-20T09:37:00.005-06:00

Polina of Beauty Spot and Lisa of Crazyland make beautiful babies together. Babies in the form of freaking awesome vintage inspired necklaces.

I know I'm not suppose to have a favorite, but this one is my favorite. Thus, she earns the moniker of Lisa Jr.

The super girly, frou frou one of the group. I shall call her Lillian.

Say hello to simple, refined Jane.

Meet Anastasia, the precocious dreamer.

And finally, Gertrude. Because even Gertrudes need love.

Ready or Not

2011-01-16T21:07:00.006-06:00

After 5 years, 5 months and 15 days...

...I don't live here anymore.

Home, sweet home.

Got Fear?

2011-01-12T09:39:00.000-06:00

“The frightening and most difficult thing about being what somebody calls a creative person is that you have absolutely no idea where any of your thoughts come from, really, and especially you don’t have any idea about where they’re gonna come from tomorrow.” - Art & Copy*

Finally got scans of my larger paintings

I'm often asked where I get my inspiration. Sometimes, the answer is simple: love songs, big cities, constellations, fairy tales... But what isn't so simple to explain is that...mysterious spark...that fleeting image that zips through my mind leaving only wisps for me to grab at...the psychedelic worlds that exist only in my dreams.** No, THAT is true inspiration. And there is no explanation for true inspiration.

Watch for new prints coming soon to the Etsy shop

For example, it's easy enough for me to say the piece above is inspired by Hansel and Gretel, Candyland and the white rabbit.

But, how did those three very tangible sources of inspiration funnel into my head and topple out in the form of a bunny with candy cane trees growing out of her ears? I have no idea.

Annnnd...these paintings will be debuting in Dallas come February 5th =D

And THAT is my biggest fear of all. That one day, those ideas will stop coming and my imagination is going to dry up. That the last sketch I doodled into my book will be the last. That I have a finite number of original ideas and before I'm ready...nada, zip, zilch.***

*Art & Copy is a documentary about the advertising industry; currently available on Netflix streaming. I didn't make it too far into the film buuut this opening line certainly left an impression. By the way, I love Netflix. I would marry Netflix and have Netflisa babies if I could.

**And no. I'm not hallucinating. I'm not on drugs. I'm not drunk. Quite to the contrary, I hate the taste of alcohol...unless it's been diluted by copious amounts of pineapple juice, coconut milk and vanilla ice cream (the secret to the best pina colada? Vanilla ice cream.)...and I refuse to medicate myself. I deal with cramps. I wait out headaches. I walk off explosive diarrhea.

***And I will have to resort to folding tiny origami birds and planes to pass my days. That's what I have to look forward to. The alternative to a successful artistic future is....a lifetime of papercuts.

A Thousand Words?

2011-01-07T18:49:00.003-06:00

I started writing a few different posts but they all sounded lame. So, instead, here are pictures.

Hello 2011!

2011-01-01T18:39:00.010-06:00

I welcomed 2011 by counting down with Dick Clark while spewing graham cracker crumbs from my mouthful of s'mores and oblivious to the dripping chocolate staining my shirt. How did you celebrate?

After clinking some glasses and treating my chocolate puddles*, it was time for the obligatory new year's resolutions. Except, I hadn't thought of any.

Now, there are the expected health resolutions, financial resolutions, relationship resolutions, etc, etc. Those are pretty personal and probably best kept to myself. And because the art resolutions are going to take me a few days to mull over, I shall move onto a more superficial resolution that was inspired by today's t-shirt purchasing trip to American Apparel.

New favorite t-shirt. If only it came with a v-neck and without the stupid catalog pose.

2011 Resolution take one: No more trips to weird ass American Apparel.**

2011 Resolution take two: Do not ever dress like a weird hipster.***

2011 Resolution take three: Do not wear clothing that resembles one of the Golden Girls nor any clothing that is meant to be ironic...or pretty much anything someone who prides himself on knowing the most obscure indie band might wear.****

Where was THIS at the store?!

Today, I found myself at American Apparel in my quest for the perfect, slightly fitted, super soft t-shirt. As soon as I stepped inside and my eyes adjusted to the harsh fluorescent lighting and I was able to survey my surroundings...[cue music...one of these things is not like the other...]...I fought the urge to slowly back pedal my way out of there. But I didn't. The promise of the perfect t-shirt was too great.***** You see...

Dude. That's underwear.

American Apparel sales people dress weird.

And apparently...and irrefutably...I am getting old.

What? I repeat...WHAT????

I am at the age where I just don't understand what young people are wearing anymore. I am at the age where trendy is no longer desirable and classic is extremely appealing. When looking for clothing, I now desire characteristics that are foreign to those much younger than I...characteristics such as value, quality, figure flatteringness and comfortability.

I used to pride myself on seeking out little known boutiques and unknown designers.

Now, I just want my damn lazy jeans, my soft t-shirts and my ugly Toms.******

*That...sounds wrong...

**Hm. Possibly offensive.

***Definitely offensive.

****Ah, much better. No brand bashing. No stereotyping. Just good old fashioned irrational Judgey McJudgerson.

*****And I do believe I have found my holy grail t-shirt! American Apparel's Tri-Blend Women's Track T! Shop online.

******Despite what you may construe from this post, by no means do I wish to offend young people. I love young people. Some of my favorite people in the world are young people. But unfortunately, some of those young people dress like weird hipsters. I have no qualms with regular hipsters...just the weird ones. And if you happen to be reading this and are a weird hipster...what do you want from me? I already admitted I'm an old loser.

Merry Post-Christmas Pre-New Year Interim!

2010-12-27T16:58:00.008-06:00

As I slowly find my way back to my pre-holiday routine*, I return to this blog slightly disillusioned, uncomfortably bloated and...donning a kicky new short hairdo!

It should go without saying that I love Christmas. I love it so hard. And it is now over.

Husband got me the COOLEST calendar EVER. Kittens doing yoga! =O

And if that wasn't bad enough, I've been experiencing a debilitating bout of artist's block for about two weeks or so now. I blame it on my wee brain. Lisa Brain can only handle so many thoughts at a time and over the past few weeks it has been inundated with cookie recipes, pumpkin gingerbread trifles, last minute gift ideas, wrapping deadlines, tree waterings, making lists and checking them twice and so on and so on and so on...

HOWEVER.

I do believe Lisa's got her groove back.

So many exciting things for 2011!!! I CAN'T WAIT!

*Patience, young grasshoppers. I have been on a temporary hiatus (in more ways than just blogging) but in my defense, there is still four full days until New Year's and I fully intend to take advantage by being as slovenly slothy as possible until holiday season is OFFICIALLY over. I'm wrapped in my giant purple semi-snuggie and wearing ski socks as I type. I kind of resemble Grimace right now.

Favorite Things

2010-12-17T13:00:00.003-06:00

It's that time of year; the time of year to be merry, to be bright, to be giving and to be...maybe...just a little bit self indulgent?

How many of us can honestly say that we haven't succumbed to buying a little something for ourselves while out shopping for others? And even though I've been pretty good at resisting temptation (only succumbing to a frivolous art supply or two*), I have slowly started building my own little post-Christmas indulgence list.**

So...on the heel of Oprah's Favorite Things***...I present to you:

Lisa's Favorite Things

7. Ski Socks - I am a victim of perpetually cold hands and feet. Blame it on poor circulation, blame it on my reptilian likeness...whatever you do, do NOT blame it on the lack of red meat in my diet. Despite what my mother thinks, a steak isn't going to warm my hands and feet...that is, unless it's grilled and wrapped around my extremities a la steak mittens and steak Uggs. Anyways, nothing keeps my feet warm quite like a pair of ski socks. I don't know what sort of magical weaving process differentiates ski socks from normal socks but these things are so good I have been known to wear ski socks to bed.

6. Toms Shoes - I lovingly call my Toms my "ugly shoes". Hideous yet so easy to slip on and off. And don't think I haven't noticed their uncanny resemblance to ninja shoes.

5. Snuggie - Everyone thinks I'm joking but I'm not. Too many times this year already I have found myself sitting on the couch with my throw wrapped around me only to extend my arms and find...there are no sleeves. What a buncha crap. OR, I have found myself sitting on the couch wearing my robe only to find my feet and ankles are cold. What a bunchier buncha crap.

4. Tank Cat House - Kitty goes "Pew! Pew! Pew! Pew!". Hahahahahahahaha. Good thing Bill doesn't know how to use the computer cause...shhhhh...Santa's bringing this good little kitty a tank.

3. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Butter beer! BUTTER BEER!

2. Waldo's Dirty Chai Latte - Having frequented my fair share of Houston coffee houses, I think I have found my favorite at Waldo's. The place looks like grandma's house, smells like grandma's bosom**** and brews the best, BEST dirty chai latte.

And for my biggest, baddest, favorite thing...drumroll please...

1. KITTENS!!! Kittens for you! And you! AND YOU! KIIITTTEEENS! [said in Oprah's bellowing voice....cue kittens dropping from the ceiling onto a screaming, crying, hysterical audience]

Merry Christmas!!!

*It's a business expense so it doesn't count. Right? =)

**This is not a not-so-subtle Christmas wish list hint to Mr. Chow. I have been informed by the husband that my Christmas Amazon box is already sitting under the tree. But...you know...our 1 year wedding anniversary is just around the corner. =)

***Which really wasn't that impressive. After giving away cars to the entire audience years ago, giving away CARS again just doesn't excite me anymore. C'mon Oprah. I expected better from you. I expected mansions, golden tickets and hovercrafts.

****Or at least what I would imagine one of those TV grandma's bosoms would smell like. TV grandmas != Chinese grandmas. Chinese grandmas smell like Chinese herbs and tiger balm.

Boarded Up

2010-12-13T21:12:00.007-06:00

The show was amazing.

See How They Run

Can't Sleep, Clouds Will Eat Me

I love seeing sold stickers. Warm and fuzzies. Cloud 9.

Can't Hear You

All three of my babies together before dropping them off at the gallery.

Boarded Up will be available for your viewing pleasure at Gallery M Squared till January 2. Seriously, go check it out. The range of skill, vision and creativity is insane.

Just No

2010-12-11T20:19:00.004-06:00

I haven't done a random rant in a little while.

There has been a new fad that has been popping up all over my Facebook feed lately. No, it's not Farmville, Mafia or some other Facebook virtual game mumbo jumbo. No, it isn't the ubiquitous comic/cartoon profile pictures*. No, it isn't the stalker enabling check-in feature**.

No, this parasite hits a little closer to my artistic home.

Painting. With. A. Twist.

NOT Painting With a Twist. This is an example of what a store SHOULD look like. Hello-Lucky.

In case you aren't familiar with this art abomination, Painting With a Twist is a store where normal, every day people pay money to consume alcohol while painting their own paint-by-number 'masterpiece' under the watch of an instructor. In theory, this service provides a relaxed atmosphere for the novice painter to reproduce an easy to follow pre-conceptualized piece of art. In reality, you've got drunk people thinking they're the next Picasso regurgitating unoriginal garbage.

I want the first one with the pink mask.

I'm all for people learning new things and picking up new hobbies. I know, better than you might think, that every artist has to start somewhere.

But this is crap. Not only are the painting options ugly*** and can be likened to what you'd find in the reject pile in a Garden Ridge sales bin but this concept also give many people the ill conceived notion that they can paint.

Adorable.

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Even more. Color me fan.

And I don't really know what my point is. Nor do I really know what my problem is.

All I know is, I'm tired of seeing people proudly plastering their latest Painting With a Twist masterpiece all over Facebook****.

Check out the coolest artwork ever to the left. =P

*What's the deal with this anyway?

**Do I really care that you are at Taco Bell? Do YOU really care that you are at Taco Bell?

***A quick Google sleuthing will show you the level of ugly this business is trying to sell to the unsuspecting public. They even have butchered renditions of The Starry Night. Blasphemous!

****Which inevitably leads to some friend making a comment along the lines of, "Wow! That's amazing! You should consider selling your paintings!". Then, that person thinks, "Hmm. That's not a bad idea. I AM pretty good at painting ugly pieces of crap when told exactly what colors to use and where to place them. I shall sell my junk on Etsy!". And that is how we end up with alllll that crap cluttering up Etsy and obscuring the real gems from popping up in my search returns when all I want is a whimsical white jackalope wearing a bowtie painting.

Pants

2010-12-06T13:28:00.000-06:00

Pants don't get enough love. Haven't you noticed how everyone is suddenly very anti-pants? When did hating pants become a thing?

I personally love pants. Pants are extremely functional. There's a pant for every purpose.

I have work pants. I have eating pants. I have stretchy pants. I have skinny pants. I have yoga pants. And then I have...painting pants.

Can't Sleep, Clouds Will Eat Me

What are painting pants? They are a very old, worn, paint splattered pair of faded khaki cargo pants. I love my painting pants. The hems are frayed and the seams are one rub away from holing and I will cry when they finally meet their demise.

Yes, this drawing is also on one of my recently submitted skateboards. Which one came first? The paper or the board?

When I'm in my painting pants, I mean business. I feel like an artist. My pants make me legit. Nevermind the paint splatters actually came from painting my living room walls* and not actual arting; my pants won't tell. In my pants, I imagine I look like an artist who has been spending hours upon hours in her studio and only just emerged and in her haste, couldn't be bothered to change into clean pedestrian clothes. At least that's what I'd like to think. **

I butchershopped this image together from multiple scans. The drawing is just too big for my pathetically average sized scanner. My drawing is too big. My DRAWING is too BIG! I am a banana!

Pants. They're the new iPhone.***

*Living room walls that were suppose to be a subtle light grey. Living room walls that are actually a clear sky blue. You would think an artist would know better than to not sample paint. You would think. But, you would be wrong.

**This pants post was inspired by my late, late night of skateboard painting this past weekend. In my sleep deprived, delusional state, I absentmindedly wiped my painty hands on...NOT MY PAINTING PANTS. Thus, creating a new pair of painting pants. I'm starting to have quite a collection of accidental painting pants. Woops.

***No, I don't know what that means.

Procrastigenius

2010-12-02T10:08:00.000-06:00

Procrastination is my best friend. Without it, how would I know terror? Without it, how would I know the dread of impending failure and disappointment? Not to mention, only out of the depths of true fear come true genius.

Do I sound like a giant fortune cookie?

Or do I sound like a giant procrastinator blogcrastinating* instead of painting?

Oddly enough, I'm very much Type A. Lists are my friend. Spreadsheets keep me warm at night. Post-it notes are my savior. And we already know Martha Stewart is my god.

But I have come to realize that while I love to plan, I am often very poor at following through in a timely manner. Due dates just mean not today. I am always running late no matter how early I start getting ready**. I think any destination is a mere 15 minute drive away. Yes, I am THAT girl. The one who tells you she took a wrong turn and got lost when she's really just putting on her shoes and dashing out the door.

Take these skateboards for the upcoming Boarded Up show for instance. I was one of the first artists to sign up for the show. I promptly picked up my three blank skateboards on the very first day they were available. I sanded and primed the boards rather quickly. And I set to sketching up ideas immediately.

Now, fastforward to today. Skateboards are due in three days and where am I?

One board complete.

One nearly complete.

And one COMPLETELY BLANK.

But things always find a way of working out. And that's why I'm not stressed. That's why I'm not resorting to dipping my fingers and toes into paint and attempting to pass off some quick 'abstract' art skateboards.

And in one fell swoop (and several strikes of a keyboard) I have managed to procrastinate an additional 20 minutes. Thank you very much.

*See what I did there? I made up a new word. Told you procrastination breeds genius.

**That's not true. While I do run late very often. Just as often, I show up stupidly early. There is no happy medium.

Oh, Christmas Tree

2010-11-29T23:30:00.003-06:00

One fish...

Two fish...
Red fish...
Blue fish...
...er...trees.

Welcome to the Lisa household, where...yes...there are four Christmas trees.

And a little sneak peek at my latest board.

Thanks

2010-11-25T09:17:00.007-06:00

As I sit here on Thanksgiving Day, during the lull that exists after the pumpkin cupcakes and white chocolate cranberry cookies have been baked but before the feasting and gorging begins at the family turkeython, I would like to send a little gratitude and thanks to all those who support my art.

White chocolate cranberry cookies!!! The pumpkin cupcakes are still waiting for their cream cheese topping and feel a little camera shy...seeing as how they're currently topless; it's understandable.

I have much to be thankful for this year*, but to stay art relevant, I would like to say without the support, enthusiasm, encouragement, motivation and inspiration of all you wonderful people, I would have succumbed to the naysayers** long ago. Without art, maybe I'd be better at my daytime desk job, but my little brain would implode in a spectrum of pigment and glitter.

Case in point: the lovely Brazilian Priscila who bravely selected my art to don her torso...FOREVER. I was FLOORED when I first received Priscila's email. And I believe my first words upon seeing her photo were: "HOLY SHIT." After the initial shock [I never dreamt the tattoo would be so large], I felt completely honored and humbled that my work connected with Priscila on such a personal and intimate level.

So, to keep this relatively short and sweet, thank you for helping this little budding artist...

Out of the blue...and from a complete stranger...I received an email with the above image attached to it. Apparently, the stranger had visited Houston back in the 80's and visited a friend of a friend's. During that visit, a little girl drew him this picture. Twenty-some-odd years later, the stranger found this drawing among his files and decided to Google this "Lisa Chow". Lo and behold, that Lisa Chow is me. All these years and I'm reunited with one of my earliest works. Funny how the universe works. =)

stay on the right track.***

*Husband, cat, Christmas music, run on sentences and peppermint mocha lattes just to name a few.

**The naysayers who tell me putting so much effort and energy into art is an impractical waste of my time. The naysayers who tell me art should be a hobby. The naysayers who advise me to be happy with 'enough'. To you, naysayers, I say...nay.

***This post's photo captions are epically long. But if you're like me, you love captions. Captions and footnotes.

****More footnotes for ya. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Market Insider

2010-11-22T10:01:00.011-06:00

First, thanks to all you wonderful people who made it out to WHAM this weekend! I heart you all! Even those of you who didn't bother to look at my stuff or who thought what you saw sucked. It's not your fault you have poor taste. I kid, I kid.

Anyways, with another WHAM under my belt, I can probably count the number of markets I've done on TWO HANDS. And with each market experience, I grow a little more sympathetic to my fellow art marketees. And, along the same lines, I learn a little more how to be an excellent art market shopper.

So I decided, why not divulge a few art market tips, tricks and little known insider secrets? Here's a handy little guide for art market frequenters and participators alike.

Lisa's Handy Guide to Markets*:

1. Setup is a bitch. I've likely stayed up all night getting things ready for the show and am running on fumes. I'm tired and I have to lug heavy boxes and artwork through parking lots, up stairs and down long corridors. And THEN, I have to dry my armpit stains, freshen my breath, wipe my mascara smears and make sure I'm presentable.

2. Break down is an even bigger bitch. I've likely stayed up all day entertaining you fine people and now I have to carry all the crap no one wanted home.

3. I'm hungry. All the time. Because I have no moment to eat. I love you. But you just keep coming. I take one bite and there's another person browsing my table.**

4. Don't feel pressured to buy. One of my favorite interactions from WHAM this weekend was when one fellow slowly cruised by my table, his smile growing increasingly larger and just before he walked off, he gave me a quick double thumbs up.

5. Take my business card. I'm a picky shopper too, so I understand if you're just not in a shopping mood or you can't decide on the spot. Take my card, go home, think about it, view my website, email me to tell me my work rocks, Facebook fan my page, bookmark my blog, buy my things online and call me up to say you'd like to commission new pieces to decorate your entire 5,000 sq. ft. house. See? Easy peasy, no pressure.

6. Ask me questions. I'm bored. I can't read a book or surf the internet or nap. So chat me up.

7. By the end of the show, I'm tired and the thought of hauling all my crap home makes me want to curl up into a ball underneath my display table and wait until the crew people break it all down for me. So this is the ideal time to bargain with me. I'll knock off a few bucks if it means one less thing I have to bring home.

8. A sucker is born every minute. And that sucker is me. Tell me a sob story about how you had a childhood pet rabbit who ran away one summer afternoon and you thought he was lost forever and you cried and cried until one day you saw your rabbit on the news and turns out he was picked up by a traveling circus and now Mr. Bunbun is a lion tamer extraordinaire***. And then yes, you can have that rabbit print for less.

*Aka: Lisa whining about market life. But I must insert a disclaimer that I really do love doing markets. It's just so much more fun to complain.

**Not complaining. Not complaining at all. I may be hungry but I'd rather my stomach eat itself than not sell you that original watercolor you love. True story. Plus, I've learned the magic of liquid nourishment in the form of coffees and chai lattes.

***This sounds like the makings of a most excellent story. Hmmmm....

No Martha

2010-11-17T10:49:00.014-06:00

It is ridiculous how happy glitter makes me.

I think I have a problem. A sparkly, colorful, fantastical problem.

The glitteriness has even invaded my work.

Find new glittery prints at WHAM this weekend!

And I want more. The glitter has penetrated my brain. While not working feverishly prepping for WHAM, I've been thumbing through my latest issues of Martha Stewart's Living, creating and recreating my holiday baking list* and searching Etsy for vintage European glass glitter.

Sneak peek at adorable new necklaces debuting at WHAM. I'm saving a black bear one for myself. Booyah.

I love Martha. As a child, I loved watching her show and drooling over all the crafty possibilities. Everything was so neat and tidy and trim. All her recipe ingredients were always so prettily laid out in their respective pastel colored bowls waiting their turn to dive into the giant mixing bowl of wonderment. Through the magic of television, her oven worked at warp speed and cookie dough in lead to perfect cookies out in a matter of seconds. I even loved her dogs. They were chow chows. Chows. CHOWS.

Not even her blip in jail could mar my fandom. When asked which people living or deceased I'd like to have dinner with; Martha always makes the list. And not just because she'd bring the most perfect blueberry muffins known to man.

I bet she smells like cinnamon and glue sticks.

I'm no Martha. But I strive to be. One glitter jar at a time.**

*Currently: Chocolate chip cookies, jam thumbprints, gingerbread mini loafs, peppermint bark and iced sugar cookies. WHAT.

**I'll stop before my Martha gushing goes into creepy territory.

WHAM!

2010-11-11T14:04:00.009-06:00

BAM!

THANK YOU MAAM!

Last year was my very first year participating in Spacetaker's WHAM and needless to say, I had a frickin blast. Some fond memories of last year's events:

1. Andrew bringing me muffins and coffee. Show setups always leave me frazzled. In the frenzy of making sure all my products look nice, my sales recording apparatus are in order and my personal appearance doesn't frighten small children, I often forget breakfast. And because breakfast is the food of champions. Blueberry muffins and peppermint mocha lattes* are the breakfast items of choice for this champion.

2. Friends stopping by and "browsing" the table to lure in real customers. It's a little marketing tactic I picked up from The Simpsons. I have wonderful friends. My back pocket grifters.

3. Being RIGHT NEXT to the bar...but also right in front of the restrooms. Ew.

4. Overly enthusiastic girl who loved my necklaces. I think I sold her the necklace off my neck. She needed to have it. I wanted her to have it. It belonged with her. Plus, I was afraid of her crazy eyed retaliation.

5. Drunk guy who loved my work. He actually fawned. Flattery will get you everywhere. And then he turned around, saw the Green Mountain Energy** tent and started yelling and shouting obscenities. I'm not really sure what drunk guy had against renewable sources of energy, but let's just say that...by the end of the night on day three of marketing festivities...this artist found it HILARIOUS. I love you drunk guy. Please return. I will reward you with a free print of your choice. If you make a spectacle, I will throw in a Christmas card.

I can't wait to see what awesome shenanigans and tomfoolery are in store for this year's market. Until then, this little elf will be slaving away in her workshop churning out print after print after print after....SQUIRREL!***

*Sugar overload = a productive artist

**Although I will admit, Green Mountain's marketing efforts can be quite annoying. Why are they EVERYWHERE? And constantly in my face?! And trying to make me feel bad about being a poor artist who can't afford to use their environmentally friendly but monetarily inflated services?!?!?

***Doug...dug...I geeet it.

Fa La La La La

2010-11-08T22:11:00.004-06:00

Is it too early for Christmas?

My rough sketch depicting how I'd like to decorate my house this year says...no.*

Bill's new collar says...no.**

Hotel Cafe's Winter Songs and Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong on heavy rotation in my car says...no.

The newly listed print set in the Etsy shop (just in time for holiday shopping!) says...no.

So what are you waiting for!?***

*With bonus gingerbread house sketch on the flip side! I held a gingerbread house decorating / gingerbread men making party once. It resulted in one rather shoddily built house that didn't even taste good to make up for it and about a dozen rather well endowed gingerbread men. Oy.

**Bill has already managed to tear off one of the three wreaths on his BRAND NEW collar. WHY BILL?! WHY!?!?!??!

***Confession. The house sketch has been sitting idly in my sketchbook for...a few weeks now...waiting to unleash itself upon the world at the appropriate time in order to minimize the level of crazy I will exude. Mission accomplished?

Urgent!

2010-11-03T15:22:00.002-05:00

Attention Houstonians!!! Vote for my cover submission to the 002houston December cover contest! All you have to do is get into your automobile of choice, drive on over to 19th street between the hours of 6-9pm on Friday, November 5th, find your way inside 18 Hands Gallery and...write my name on a ballot? Pin a flag on my submission? Push a button? Say my name? Stand by my side to claim your allegiance?

I actually have no idea how the voting process will take place. Nor do I know if you actually need to RSVP for the event. I pretty much know what's on the flyer above. So...now you know just as much as I do...

Lonely Hot Air Balloon Worker + 002houston Header Logo = December Cover!!! Hopefully?

Something Happened

2010-11-01T11:00:00.001-05:00

Something not good...

My beloved Simon 2.0 was stolen. Material things can be replaced; Simon lives again in 3.0 fashion but along with my banged up, paint stained, cracked MacBook went countless hours worth of art files. Some irreplaceable art files.

Lone Hot Air Balloon Factory Worker

In the most likely scenario, Simon 2.0 will be stripped and wiped clean and pawned for a few quick bucks completely negating all the time, hard work, cups of coffee, sleepless nights, frustration, delights, hopes, fears and so many other emotions, sacrifices and thoughts that I can't find words for that went into those files, photos and documents saved on dear Simon. All for a few easy dollars. Some people are real jerks.

After the initial shock wore off, Lisabrain quickly went into overdrive planning the most efficient way to restore everything back to exactly the way it was before. Luckily, through some magic and slight of hand, I can reproduce many of my art files to get my business up and running again.

However, in the midst of all the frenzied planning, I thought...maybe restoring isn't the solution? Maybe, losing Simon 2.0 is a challenge and an opportunity to start fresh. Maybe this is a case of turning lemons into lemonade?*

Sketchy

Over the past few months, my aesthetics have evolved and changed. While I love my older works and appreciate the progress and growth I see reflected in them, maybe they aren't the best representation of who I am as an artist now? Maybe, losing Simon 2.0 is an opportunity to reinvent myself.** Maybe it's time for Lisa 2.0.

Color inspiration: Neon macaroons!!!

So, stay tuned. There will be some changes in the good old Etsy shop. Maybe some changes on the coolest website on Earth. Same old Lisa...only better.

*Although, if I ever run into that greedy, lazy, good for nothing jerkface, you can bet your sweet ass there will be some citric acid. Citric acid with a side of jalapeno juice.
**Like Madonna. Just like Madonna. Sans pointy bras, weird black kimonos, cowgirl outfits or technicolor aerobics ware. Ok, maybe not quite like Madonna.

Rain on Your Wedding Day

2010-10-22T16:07:00.003-05:00

I have never been a fan of relinquishing all control of the lower half of my body to stupid inanimate objects strapped to my feet. Roller skates, rollerblades, ice skates, skateboards, surfboards, snowboards, skis...you name it...are not my friend.

Can't Sleep...Clouds Will Eat Me*

~~~Flashback~~~ Ah, my beloved Pepto pink, bedazzled Barbie roller skates. In my daydreams, I could see myself zipping down the sidewalk, twirling around the rink, carving figure eights gracefully in my beautiful skates. I test drove them on the tiled kitchen floor. Splat. I tried again. SPLAT. Third times a...SPLAT! In vain, I tried and tried until my knees were black and blue. Until I finally realized it wasn't going to work. Ever. I broke up with those skates. They were beautiful and unnecessary and caused me more pain than pleasure.

I swore never to be hurt like that again.

And now, 20 some odd years later, I find myself drawn** to another four wheeled bringer of impending agony.

Isn't it ironic?***

*If you got The Simpsons reference, I love you.

**Pun-ny!

***Upcoming board show! Info to come!

DENIED.

2010-10-18T11:00:00.003-05:00

In my quest to have more and more people see my work, I have to throw myself out there. A lot. When you put yourself out there, you run the risk of rejection. And I have been rejected. A lot.

Ah, sweet ignorant Lisa, submitting another piece of art? Have you learned nothing?

So let's take a gander at some of the many forms of rejection I have personally received, shall we?

1. Personalized rejection letters. Letters sprinkled with little phrases and references that prove to me the recipient at least took the time to review my samples and browse my website. I feel respected. Rejected, but respected. Personalized letters are the Ms. Congeniality of rejection letters.

2. Form rejection letters. A dead give away I have just received another form rejection letter: "Dear Artist". There are many viable reasons why I may have received a form rejection letter: budget, sheer volume, laziness, social ineptitude, fear of confrontations, jerkfaceness, douchebaggery, ailurophobia*.

3. No response at all and I eventually forget I ever applied. This might be my favorite form of rejection. If I don't remember, I don't know. Ignorance is bliss.

4. Accepted entrants lists. I'm not told whether I was accepted or denied so I have to resort to scanning the winners list to see if, by some small miracle, my name is on that list. And I'm only human, so as I'm scanning, I've already convinced myself I will stumble upon my name any second now and my mouth salivates at the thought of the celebratory cupcake I shall purchase. I hold my breath in anticipation as I read through the unusually long list of lucky names until I find...that...I'm...not...there. Here before me is a tangible list of all the people who are better than me.

It's not February, you fool. Valentine's Day is four months away.

Now, when faced with rejection, many well-intentioned, chemically balanced individuals will offer you the following: Rejection is a part of life. Rejection helps you grow a thicker skin and become a better person. Rejection will only make success that much sweeter. When life hands you lemons....

Cupid's a Bitch / Down the Rabbit Hole

...you squirt citric acid in life's eyes!

Even Bill is doubtful.

You gather all those rejection letters, print out rejection emails...hell...start throwing in names of exboyfriends, toxic friends, mortal enemies and that lady who bought the very last strawberry cupcake [which was suppose to be your conciliatory cupcake]...and you create your very own Shit List.

Another shipping fee wasted.**

You bide your time. And when life's run out of lemons.... You strike. You turn to your List O' Hate and go artmageddon*** on all those who have stood in your way. Hulk smash!!!

*A fear of cats. Who could be afraid of cats?! Jerkfaces and douchebags, that's who.

**Jokes on you! These are my two little submissions to NYC gallery Charmingwall's 6x6 Project. And the submission is open to all! No one is denied! Any Tom, Dick and Harry...any Jane Doe...any 5 year old with fingerpaints...any abstract artist...wait a minute... Sonofabitch.

***I told you I'd find a way to use this word. =)

Spooktacular

2010-10-15T22:01:00.003-05:00

My most FAVORITE time of year is upon us: the holy trinity* triumvirate trio of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!

So please pardon any delays in blog postings because this [see below] is preoccupying my time.

*Over the weekend, I was sipping coffee at one of my neighborhood coffee shops and doing my usual, you know, eavesdropping. The barista had a few friends visiting and she mixed up a special concoction just for them; she called it the Holy Trinity and it was composed of the perfect blend of coffee, chai and chocolate. I want to go to there. I want to go to there so bad.

Maps

2010-10-11T19:28:00.005-05:00

After a 10 month hiatus*, was inspired by Yeah Yeah Yeah's 'Maps':

Get it here

A little sugary, syrupy, sweetness for ya. Blech.

*My little 'City Love' series that I worked on late last year and showed at Max's Wine Dive in February. Inspired by love songs and romantic comedies.

Facebook This

2010-10-08T11:45:00.000-05:00

Little known fact: I minored in Marketing*.

Moderately known fact: A successful artist/freelancer/entrepreneur is one who can market herself successfully.

Widely known fact: Lisa haaaaates marketing herself...and kind of sucks at it. Ironic, huh?

These are a few things I've done in my vain attempt to get my name out there:

1. Leave stacks of business cards in random hipster frequented coffee shops.

2. Shamelessly email people I had no business emailing.

3. Drop a couple dozen unsolicited promotional postcards into the mail system.

4. Lie. Lie my ass off.

But the new fangle method of marketing that really makes me moan and groan and roll around in a useless pile of mush? Social networks.** Let's examine a few, shall we?

Blogger - Congratulations! You've made your way to my blog. I treat this blog like my diary***. And like my diary, my entries are full of lies. LIES. My theory is, if I recorded my actual daily thoughts and events, I would compose a really dull book. INSTEAD, in the event my grandchildren ever stumble across my diaries, I will have them believing their grandmother was a successful artist by day and secret agent by night who once fended off five ninjas using only an index card, a lint roller and M&Ms.

Facebook - I remember when Facebook was limited to college students, didn't have status updates and Farmville/Mafia/Some-other-reincarnation-of-Pocket-Pets didn't exist. Ah, those were good times. Now, any Dick & Jane/Mom & Dad/Boss & Manager can not only join your sacred online network but can e-stalk**** you too.

Flickr - People like pictures. Purdy, purdy pictures.

MySpace - I failed to jump on the MySpace bandwagon when it started and by the time I contemplated joining, it was too full of harlots and punks.

Twitter - Tweet just sounds like a dirty word. Have you tweeted? Would you like to tweet? When was the last time you tweeted? I bet you my tweet is longer than yours. Tweet this.

Linkedin - Aka Nerd Facebook.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's about a million other social networks (Friendster?). And I haven't even touched on artist social networks (deviantART, Society6)!

Social networks are great; they're fun and they're a great way to connect to a larger audience than traditional marketing efforts could afford you. But it's exhausting to keep track of a million different networks AND try to continuously provide interesting content in each one of them. So ultimately, I can only shine in one media at a time.

So next time you see a really clever blog post (Artmageddon! hmm...I like that...must use in the near future), I guarantee you, my Facebook status will be lame (My cat ate catfood).

*I majored in MIS. Management Information Systems. Aka Information Technology. Aka Computer Mumbo Jumbo. Aka Who the Hell Thought Lisa Would Make a Good Computer Nerd, A Fingerless Monkey Could Do a Better Job. Not that I'm advocating for fingerless monkeys; I'm just trying to make a point. In college, I managed to download every virus my university dorm network had to offer. In the work force, my work laptop was mysteriously zapped and killed by lightening. In my personal life, my dear MacBook has survived numerous slips, trips and falls...and has the battle scars to prove it.
**This post is appropriately timed to coincide with that Facebook movie that's supposedly generating Oscar buzz for Justin Timberlake. Seriously? Oscar buzz? JT, you need to get your butt back into the recording studio, belt out another tune about how your baby done you wrong and shake that money maker. Shake it. Shake it like a Polaroid picture.

***If I were to really treat this blog like my diary, I would hide it at the bottom of a trashcan, pat myself on the back for my cleverness and then be dumbfounded when my diary is accidentally thrown out.

****Don't e-stalk me, please. Or for real stalk me either. Not that I wouldn't be flattered. But I'm honestly trying to save you time and energy. You see, I'm seriously not stalk worthy. Spend five minutes staring at me through binoculared lenses and you'll find a slovenly sloth watching Gossip Girl with her obese cat, calling Pizza Hut delivery with her dialling stick.

Why Houses?

2010-10-06T14:54:00.016-05:00

I am often asked why I draw so many houses and buildings. The answer? Because, to me, a house is not merely a building or structure. In my work, the house becomes a home. A home is a place of comfort; a place of refuge. You turn to your home in good times and in bad. Your home is there in your time of need. Having a bad day? Week? Year? Your home is waiting for you each and every night.

So while thumbing through the 100 Abandoned Houses project, as picture after picture of dilapidated, neglected, abandoned homes flashed across my eyes, I felt just a little heartbroken.

Here before me were images of homes that once belonged to someone. Someone once opened those front doors to the welcome greetings of a husband or wife. Someone tucked in and slept in those bedrooms. Someone served Thanksgiving turkey in the dining room. Someone tore open presents underneath the Christmas tree in the living room. Someone's laughter, cries, joys and fears once echoed off those, now sagging, warped walls.

Cities change. Neighborhoods boom and then decline in popularity. As each year passes, more wood rot, more shingles fall, walls cave and roofs collapse. These homes, once standing so majestically, how can we watch them crumble without one beam of dignity?

Maybe it's the time of year...maybe I'm feeling nostalgic...maybe I'm romanticizing, but they say home is where the heart is. Today, my heart is where my home is.

*This post is a little more serious than recent ones but not to worry: Your regularly scheduled programming will resume next post. Cat poop!

Career Day

2010-10-03T14:27:00.000-05:00

As they stared at me with young impressionable eyes, I thought,

"Holy dookie, why did I agree to speak to schoolchildren about being an artist and freelance illustrator? I'm no role model for these kids. I have no educated advice about becoming an artist. I only know how to do it the wrong way: go to school for something you end up loathing only to find yourself desperately doing a 180 and floundering to learn how to succeed in a field where you have 100% passion but 0% experience."

So, I threw butcher paper and crayons at them and yelled "DRAW, MINIONS! DRAW!".*

My little rouse distracted them for a moment but then the questions started squeaking in,

"How do I get a job like yours?"

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...you wake up one day and decide to see if people will pay you for your doodlings.

"Do people pay you for this?"

Is that some sort of backhanded question?

"If you have two clients, how do you decide which client to work with?"

TWO clients? At the same time? Huh, that's never happened before...

"I like to draw abstract things."

That's not a question.

"Can I have your autograph?"

WHY, YES YOU CAN!**

*Ok, so it didn't go exactly like that. But I did challenge them to draw a "house interpretation of themselves". There were quite a few houses wearing clothes/faces/glasses/etc. But two that stood out to me were....1) manic robot house and 2) taco eating vampire house

**No really, they really did ask for my autograph. Ok, granted, they asked for everyone's autograph. But if children are the future...then this surely means I will have many adoring adult fans seeking my autograph in the future, no?

My Art Sucks

2010-09-30T09:25:00.002-05:00

I love my new painting. I love it so much, everything I've done in the past looks like crap in comparison.

This always happens.

Inevitably, my newest masterpiece will be my latest WTF-was-I-thinking moment.

A few expressions to have spewn* from my mouth while flipping through old portfolios/sketchbooks:

Why so many bird pictures?**
This is so elementary...so bourgeois. Tra-la-la. Tally-ho.***
Hahahahahahahaha inhale hahahahahahahaha
Aww, look how precious my kindergarten art was...wait...why is this dated 2008?
What cat loving idiot would come up with this stuff?
Kill it! Kill it with fire!
Holy mother of Giant Cat God, what was I thinking?!

So why create art in the first place if I know that I will invariably look back upon it with scorn and disdain? Because I've been told hating your own work is called progress.

Some call it progress. Some call it evolution. Some call it growth.

But I call it: My old art sucks.

And this self-hating process happens so quickly, I'm already starting to hate this stupid bunny one. "Goodness, great Giant Rabbit God, gracious, what was I thinking?"

*According to Blogger's spellcheck, spewn is not a word. But according to Lisationary, it is. Lisationary wins.

**The theme of my high school art portfolio was birds. Why we had to choose a theme? I don't know. To pigeon hole us, I suppose. Zing! I'm pun-ny!

***Not sure why, but many times when I have condescending mental dialogues with myself, critical Lisa has a snotty British accent.