I just finished posting a few more necklaces on etsy. I actually have several more necklaces that I want to post but I am still struggling witht the photography aspect of the business. I purchased a photo tent but half of the pictures that I take still do not come out like I'd like. I've been thinking of making a dress form out of papier-mache to use as a prop but I already have a thousand things to do. I guess I will continue to try new things, hopefully something will eventually work.
Any ways, these necklaces are two of the newest pieces that have been posted. I especially like the silver one. I'm always tempted to keep the pieces that I like, but I have to remind myself to let them go.

Hope you're enjoying your summer!

Batik

This is a new batik I am currently working on. It is in preparation for the Virgen de Guadalupe Competition and Exhibit that is held here in El Paso in Dec. Yes, I am several months ahead but I am hoping to add some embroidery to it and I really want to dedicate some time to it. I won 2nd place several years ago and I havn't entered since. I actually had another idea in mind but several of us got together last Sun. to batik and out of the blue I decided to work on her. I'm sitll learning and I hope some of the embroidery will take care of my mistakes. The colors look amazing close up. To get a better view of the detail click on the pic and zoom in.
As I mentioned before, I had jury duty the very first day of summer vacations, luckily I was not picked. Not that I'm complaining about doing my civic service but I was up late on Wed. with the worst stomach cramps. I had never experienced so much discomfort. By the time I got up on Thurs. doing jury duty was the last thing on my mind. I'm still recovering.

I'm counting today as my first official day off. I want to accomplish three things this summer: art, clean my house and sleep.

I'm about to do one of the three, good night.

This is not Photoshopped

I was in my studio yesterday working on a new batik when my son yelled for me. "Quick," he said, "get your camera!" I went outside and was mesmerized by what I saw. My camera did not do the sky justice. We had a terribly hot day yesterday (108) and then had rain late in the evening. This was right before the rain fell. I've seen these colors in the sky before but the intensity of the colors was amazing.

The picture reminds me of the art project kids do in elementary school. The one where they watercolor the background and then put black construction paper landscapes in front. You know the ones?

On an even better note, two more days for summer vacations! Wait don't get so excited for me, I have jury duty the next day:(

Oh well.

UVAs in UTEP Magazine article

I've mentioned before that I have an artist group called the UVAs. All of the members are females and are practising or retired art teachers. We were featured in an article in the UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso) Magazine. I finally look good in a picture. Here's the link if you'd like to view the complete article. http://utepmagazine.utep.edu/ Just scroll down to the article titled "Art Swap" or page 46.

I just returned from a trip to Santa Fe with a group of students. It was an enjoyable trip but now I am exhausted. There's 5 school days left!!!

I'm getting together with some of the UVAs this weekend and we are going to do some batik. I can't wait, art makes me unwind. I have a few pendants waiting on me to be turned into necklaces. I'll get to those soon. I also have a few clay pendants that need to be glazed. Sooo much to do.

First things first though, I still have to clean my studio :(

Happy Arting!