I would like to send my greatest THANK YOU and gratitude to Dr. Shaw for making me part of her incredible book. The book is selling fast so if you would like a copy make sure to pick one up. Click HERE for more info through Rutgers University Press.
I have some of my photography featured in a new book coming out this year called "The Raritan River, Our Landscape, Our Legacy" by environmental expert Dr.Judy Shaw. The book is a beautifully illustrated hard cover book telling the story of the longest river within New Jersey, the Raritan. I'm excited to have a full page spread of Division Street in Somerville, NJ, a town I grew up in and very dear to me. I lucked out with the shot when I took the picture on my way to work one dark, early morning during L'Heure Bleue in the rain. If you want to see the pictures you're just going to have to buy the book ;) The book is available through Rutgers University Press, Barnes and Noble,and Amazon.
I would like to send my greatest THANK YOU and gratitude to Dr. Shaw for making me part of her incredible book. The book is selling fast so if you would like a copy make sure to pick one up. Click HERE for more info through Rutgers University Press.
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I drive a lot, and when I do I reminisce and listen to a lot of music. I reminisce about a lot of things, and I worry, and I think about a lot of things while I drive. My car has become my therapist and best friend, we laugh and we cry together, and we talk. We laugh at the other drivers starring at me with complexity as I have full on conversations with my car, thank god they probably think I'm on Bluetooth. Today I heard three songs back to back coincidently on the radio that I could actually relate to on a personal and business level. Photography has opened so many doors and has allowed me to meet a lot of talented musicians and bands, three of those bands were the ones i heard on the radio. I sat there in traffic listening to these songs and I was confused and in disbelieve. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would be photographing some of my favorite bands. While listening to these songs I was reminiscing about how much of a roller coaster ride 2014 was . A lot of things pissed me off, people pissed me off even my best friend the car pissed me off, she left me stranded a couple of times with flat tires during the polar vortex in minus 0 degree weather because of those damn potholes. Going back to the being confused part, as so many great things happened so did crappy things and I don't know whether I should be happy or sad, celebrate or cry. As much as it's been great artistically wise, personally, some walls came tumbling down. I feel like I have no security and I know that big changes are coming. Some things are not going to be the way they use to be and I have to learn to move on. It has been very rough to celebrate achievements as they were always being overshadowed. The emotions have been surreal, sincerely laughing about good things at exactly the same time I was sincerely crying about the bad things. Yes, my emotions are still confused and often I wonder if I'm dreaming. This year will be about recovery and change and hopefully I can finally raise a toast about the achievements without feeling guilty. Things happen for a reason and I know it's up to me to make the best of those changes and say goodbye to the things that are holding me back. Here's to a new year and a new beginning! Peace, love, health, success, and happiness to all!
What can I say about December other than historically it has always been one of the crappiest months ever for me. 2014 started on a bad note, in between it had some awesomely, great, goodness filling, but in the end it was one of the worst years ever. When everything around you seems to be about merriment, joy, happiness, and cheer there are those times when you just want to hide under a rock. My beloved father-in-law passed away early this December and trying to keep the Christmas spirit was not easy. I felt extremely sorry for my husband who was close to his father and there was not a day in December that went without tears and I'm sure the daily river of tears will flow until next year. One of the toughest things have been cleaning out his house, and going past my phone contacts and not having the heart to delete his phone number. There has always been lots of tears in December, my grandmother passed away a few years ago in December and my uncle on Christmas Day three years ago. How sad it is to not look forward to December anymore. The magic and innocence of Christmas disappears when you're an adult and we are commercially spoon fed happiness all month long leaving me feeling guilty for enjoying myself for just a few minutes. Regardless, we managed to survive December with a few good smiles. I received my copy of the book featuring some of my photography, celebrated my father's birthday, finally finished my art commission, and I took my husband and family on a Christmas wonderland getaway right here in Philly.We even managed to have a good time at our yearly Colonial Ball outing. All the fun times were bitter sweet but we managed to pull through. The best thing about December is that it brought us closer to each other and I'll take that any day :) Here's to a new year because I can't wait to put this year behind us. After blood, sweat, and tears (and I really do mean blood, sweat and tears!) I finally completed my commission a few weeks ago, yay! My client was much too kind to deal with my many artistic brain locks. I even offered to give the money back because my artistic brain has been into photography for the last year or so and I did not want to do painting at all, but my client would not take the money back. He said "Andie, even if it takes you ten years to complete, I'm not taking the money back". I would start the painting and half way its completion I would start over, I just could not do it, my heart was in photography and it was torturing me. I can honestly say I would start over and over again about a thousand times. Art also feels different when you are doing it for the money; I hate doing it for the money. When money gets involved everything changes and so does the natural, free flowing state of mind. For me it's devastation, I am now under pressure to create something and forced to have something completed when at times you are just NOT feeling it. But I did it and it feels great to not have that burden. Art has been very kind to me and I've met many great clients and artists but I feel like it's time for me to move on and concentrate 100% on my photography which has also allowed me to meet and work with a lot of incredible people and taken me to places I never thought I could as a kid. Below is just a small section of the painting and my big ol' grin of satisfaction. I can't show the entire piece but trust me it's completed and I can't wait to get it out of my hands once and for all! Here's to my past love of painting and to my future endeavors in photography. Maybe some day I'll pick up a pencil and start sketching again ;)
A big thank you to the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market crew for another amazing event!! This has got to be one of the greatest flea markets in the country, even the Huffington Post thinks so! I had a blast, it was my time to product test my Dear Sister Vintage brand and it was a success! Thank you to everyone who bought my artwork and perfumes, you are the best and I hope you enjoy! The mayor of Trenton enjoyed my work and the fabulous and talented Helen Castillo of Project Runway and currently on Project Runway All Stars stopped by to do some shopping, she was awesome! The Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market is not an event to be missed. Trust me, you will love it!
Today is the BIG 4-0 for me. It's not fun getting old but it feels great to age gracefully especially when people still think I'm in my mid 20s. I always get asked what I do to stay young and fit for my age and honestly I really don't have an answer. The only significant thing that I've done differently than most people is that I've been vegetarian for 37 years. I don't eat any type of meat at all and my diet consists mostly of fruits, veggies, and lots of protein. So yes, you can survive without eating meat. Staying active and working out is also very important but the most important thing for me is to enjoy life and appreciate the wonders and diversity this beautiful world has to offer! Enjoy life without fear, follow your dreams, believe in yourself and never ever worry about what other people have to say about you.
LIFE IS GOOD!! Its that time again folks! It's another super fabulous, super popular Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market! I again have the honor of being part of this fantabulous event. Be there as I present my new line, Dear Sister Vintage. I will also have prints of my artwork for sale. If you want something unique and unusual to give away for the holidays this is the event to do your holiday shopping! I will have a promo code available the day of the flea market for a chance to win one of my products from Dear Sister Vintage, so yes, you have to attend the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market to get in on the freebies. There will be six lucky winners.
The Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market is held at the Historic Roebling Machine Shop located on 675 South Clinton Avenue in Trenton, NJ. 10AM - 5PM. BE THERE!! For more information on the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market please visit the links below: Website Directions: Well kids, I have decided to start my own health and beauty product line. Starting my own natural product line was not a vision I had in mind but an epiphany. Already busy with art commissions, event photography, and most importantly being a mom, the last thing I needed was to start another project. In early 2014 I suffered through a rare form of migraine called a hemiplegic migraine which caused temporary paralysis on the right side of my body and slurred speech. Losing the ability to walk was a terrifying experience, stumbling across the floor crawling for help with only the left side of my body functioning is an experience I will never forget. Although a hemiplegic migraine is not life threatening, it causes stroke-like symptoms that can occur at any moment leaving you unconscious.
After going through various adjustments to my medication and feeling miserable from both the side effects of the medication, and my debilitating migraines, I realized that the scents of the natural homemade soaps and oils I was making for my family were giving me instant relieve. I was infusing the soaps with my favorite essential oils and herbs without realizing that the aromas were such a calming and relaxinging effect on my mind. From then on I went on a journey of aromatherapy discovery learning as much as I could about the benefits of essential oils and herbs on the body and mind. Although aromatherapy is NOT a substitute for medication it works hand in hand for me along with the medication to help alleviate the onset of my migraine attacks. As a migraine sufferer it is important to know your triggers but it is also beneficial to know what helps calm down the attacks which in my case can become severely debilitating. There is always an exhilarating experience when we smell something good that lifts our minds and spirits in a positive way. There is mom's home cooking, the smell of fresh fallen rain on the grass, the wind swept salt water smell on the beach, and for me, oddly enough, it's the smell of lumber at the local Home Depot store. The products I bring you are not for medicinal purposes but to help evoke those feel good warm aromas that put us in such an envigerrating mindset. Sometimes it's the little things in life that brings a smile to my face and for me it's as simple as a pleasant scent especially when the scent brings me back in time and helps relieve the onset of a migraine. I have come up with various recipes that will hopefully bring a smile to your face as well. With this said I present to you my line, Dear Sister Vintage, inspired by my two loving and dear sisters Rosy and Xinia. The official launch of Dear Sister Vintage is November 2014 but keep an eye out for 2015 as I launch my line of lipsticks and new fragrances. With my crazy, busy, last minute schedule and the ton of projects I have under my belt I forgot to mention the WII Weekend at Eisenhower Farm in Gettysburg, PA. We will be part of the event so come by and say hi. Yay, I get to go full on 40s with my vintage outfits, make up and hair. There will also be a World War II style "USO" dance held at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. It's such a great time stepping back in time with a big band and everyone dressed in 40s attire. Cant' wait for this lovely weekend. I love the 40s and with all WWII events I get to re-live a time that I should have been part of. For more info visit the Gettysburg National Park Service website.
Here are some pictures from the PA Burlesque festival. A big thank you to Madame Corsetiere of Dragontown Corsets for such a fabulous show! |
AuthorPlain and simple, I'm painfully the artsy type. I like to keep my mind occupied because it keeps me out of trouble. I love art, photography, music and the 1940's. Between art exhibits, photography projects, design work, developing and promoting my new upcoming line the "LuvSicks", dressing up in early 40's vintage clothing for WWII living history events and endlessly researching the 40's home front and women's fashion to help educate the audience, and dusting off my drum sticks once in a while, I am endlessly busy. In a nutshell I draw silly pictures, shoot pictures, and play dress-up. In a nutshell I guess I never grew up. In a nutshell I guess I'm just a nut! Archives
August 2015
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