Pigment of my Imagination

Four Seasons Headpiece Wreaths

2009-03-29T23:32:00.014-04:00

My talented friend Sarah Skinner (http://www.weclick.net/, http://www.shakemyday.com) seems to always be cross-inspiring me. As she was developing her unique and beautiful style of baby bump photography, she asked me to create four headpiece wreaths inspired by the four seasons for use in her photo shoots. I love living in the Northeast, experiencing all four seasons, so this was a task I was eager to undertake.

Some of my favorite memories of Winter is when the trees become encased in ice and create a magical crystal wonderland. I did not want to create a "Christmas" or evergreen wreath. I wanted something icy blue and sparkling.

Spring made me think of the cherry trees flowering, the roses budding, and the daisies showing their lovely heads for the first time. My mother's house had many flowerbeds. I used to get up early in the morning and walk the property before leaving for the day. The dew would be glistening on the petals. I wanted to recreate that feeling.

Summer reminds me of rich, bright colors, and of the excitement of seeing the tiger lilies rear their heads. Any child that has planted sunflower seeds has their patience rewarded with huge medallions of yellow at summer's end. It was also the Season my daughter was born, so I was inspired to make a matching child's wreath as well. The Mother/daughter set look lovely together.

Fall of course in the Northeast is a celebration of color - one last party before the winter rest. My favorites are the maple and oak leaves. So much joyous color, one last hurrah before falling to the earth to become next year's fertilizer. To me, Fall was never a depressing reminder of Summer's end, but a beautiful reminder of the whole cycle of life.

Here are the results of my musings:

Winter

2009-03-29T23:31:00.002-04:00

Spring

2009-03-29T23:29:00.002-04:00

Summer

2009-03-29T23:28:00.002-04:00

baby Summer

2009-03-29T23:26:00.003-04:00

Fall

2009-03-29T23:24:00.001-04:00

a New Crop

2009-03-02T13:49:00.005-05:00

First of all, thanks for the many messages of concern and love I received from my last post. I am blessed so many would reach out to me.

I was looking in the mirror a few weeks ago and I noticed something very funny looking...........two "puffs" of fluff at my temples, and what looked like very short bangs. Upon closer inspection, I discovered YAY!!!!!!!!!!! My hair IS growing back in! Oh it looks so very funny, I have an awful cowlick at one temple and I have to use a ton of product to keep the "bangsies" down.

Overall, it's been a fruitful few weeks. I dyed some really beautiful color combinations on some veils, skirts and fan veils. I did not have the time or energy to work on my more elaborate or "art" pieces, but really some beautiful ombres. I can't wait to photograph and post the new work. I got two good sized troupe orders and I am preparing for the upcoming Spring vending schedule.

I'm still struggling with the time management issue, but really happy with the new work and what I have accomplished so far. Whoop - ! Back to work to my first full time job, my 8 month old "boss" is calling me!!

Inspiration and good friends

2009-01-15T01:23:00.007-05:00

Today I dyed four veils.

The photo to the left is my daughter Veronica at four months and myself. It was taken by Sarah Skinner, her work throughout my pregnancy and early months of Veronica's life has brought me much joy. I'm amazed at how she can capture fleeting instants of emotion on camera. Please visit her websites: http://www.shakemyday.com/ ; http://www.weclick.net/ .

I hate to say I have been fighting a little bit of a funk lately. With the exception of every time I look at my daughter I have had a mild case of sadness for about a month. I know it's not post-partum depression, but I don't know if it's my hormones still adjusting from the birth of my daughter six months ago, or the economy, or my hair falling out, or my (much too much) disappointment in myself for not having my body where I want it to be. I've had a hard time adjusting to Veronica's schedule. I was fully ready to give up my life as I knew it but I had no idea what was in store for me until this little girl graced my life.

I know the old expression, people come into your life for a reason may be old and overplayed, but I know booking Sarah to capture my pregnancy and the joy of my miracle child on film was one of the best decisions I made this past year. We met yesterday for Veronica's six month photo shoot. I was in my mild funk, and mad at myself for leaving a time-toiled wreath made specifically for the shoot in the car, which had been driven away by the valet at the parking garage. Good conversation, good people, and a nurturing atmosphere for even one afternoon can make all the difference. Sarah was very kind, patient and reassuring, and my little girl was an angel, even when she was fussy it didn't last long. She rolled and slept, smiled and creeped, grabbed my face and her toes and was a true champ. Sarah's creativity and amazing work with staging and lighting made me feel inspired for the first time in a looooong time. I am gleefully awaiting a peek at the pictures. I know Sarah will have done an incedible job. I also brought some silks to the studio in case she would want to use them in the pictures. Her encouragement at new techniques I am working on to set myself apart from other silk artists in my genre started to light the fire under my pot of dye.

I normally feel aggravated when I want to work and frustrated because I don't have enough time between baby naps to get anything done. I can't leave work instantly at a crucial moment to respond to a crying baby. Knowing my daughter is my biggest priority I of course give up on work. Well, I'm starting to get the hang of this mom thing lately, and feeling really good about it. I realized I'm getting my groove back.

Today I dyed four AMAZING veils. I feel inspired. It's a great start :)

Truly touched by the belly dance community

2009-01-06T00:39:00.006-05:00

The two beautiful ladies to the left are Chadia and Joharra, photo by Alan Tansky.

This year was an amazing, crazy ride. Between starting my business and becoming a mom I have been busier and happier than I have ever been. Watching my veils dance with all the beautiful people in the belly dance community and sharing my art is reward enough for me, to be recognized by the you truly is the sprinkles on the cherry on the icing of the cake! I have plans to expand my line of products in 2009 and this is truly the impetus to go forward. I have the honor of sharing the title of "Voted Great in 2008" with fellow artists:

Favorite Instructor: Kim Leary

Favorite Performers: Anka Kusu

Favorite Promoter: Michelle Devine

Favorite Restaurant: Cous Cous of NJ

Favorite Musician: Carmine Guida

Community Spirit...Pom-Pom winner: Anne Marie

Please check out the NJ Bellydancing website - it is an invaluable resource for dancers, events, vendors, and information on belly dance in NJ and surrounding areas. Thank you to Anne Marie and Cerisa for all the work on this OUTSTANDING website! http://www.njbellydancing.org/

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year filled with music and dance! (And lots of silk veils hee hee!)

Work Schedule

2009-01-04T23:44:00.007-05:00

7:50 am - wake hit snooze
7:55 am - wake hit snooze
8:00 am - maybe get up - maybe hit snooze
8:05 - 8:10 am - get bottle ready
8:15 - wake baby
8:16 - change crying baby
8:20 - feed baby
8:45 - 9:00 am put sleepy full happy baby back to bed
9:00 am - have industrial strength coffee and try to fit 8 hours of dyeing, sewing, emailing, website updating, blogging, photography, cleaning the house (yeah right), laundry, shower, don't bother to do hair just put up in a knot with a clip into 3 hours

OR

9 am - noon - go back to bed (most likely)
12 noon - wake happy giggly baby, change baby
12:15 pm - feed baby
12:45 - 2 pm - play with baby until tired (baby that is - mom being tired is a given)
2:00 - baby nap - try to get some work done
2:20 - baby wakes, change baby diaper, play with baby, try to update website while baby is in exersaucer, pick up baby who wants mommy, walk around house soothing teething baby, desperate to get housework done put fussy baby in sling and work while carrying baby. Curse self for going back to bed after morning feeding.
3:45 - get bottle ready
4:00 - feed baby
4:45 - 8:00 (see schedule from 12 noon to 4 pm, repeat)
8:45 - MAYBE baby nap
9:15 - baby wakes, change diaper, occupy baby
10:30 - get bath ready
10:45 - give baby bath
11:00 - feed baby
11:45 - put baby in crib, if lucky she goes to bed
11:45 - ridiculous time at night try to get things done while baby sleeps
Some ridiculous time at night until 7:50 am - pass out

ALL NIGHT - thank the Lord in Heaven she sleeps through the night

Best job in the world!

Happy New Year! SQUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

2009-01-02T01:15:00.009-05:00

Lots of happy noises in the land of Silkdancer today. I got home to an email from NJ Bellydancing (amazing website BTW - http://www.njbellydancing.org/ ) that I was voted NJ favorite vendor of 2008. I was so honored! Thank you to all who voted. Please check out the NJ Bellydancing website - it is an invaluable resource for dancers, events, vendors, and information on belly dance in NJ and surrounding areas.

Creative History

2008-12-29T20:45:00.001-05:00

I cannot remember a time I didn't create. It seems almost instinctual to me to express myself artistically. This is due entirely to my parents. My beautiful mother always had my mind and hands involved in some project and craft. She took on new challenges headfirst and worked them until she mastered them. From her I learned to sew, to do needlepoint, embroidery, make all kinds of beautiful baskets from many types of fibers and grasses, to work a loom, to explore and create. What she could not teach me she took me to lessons. I took music, drawing, painting and dance. She got me involved in community theater.

My parents were avid gardeners as well and half our backyard was a garden. From this I learned the joy and patience of watching hard work flourish and bloom., as well as the satisfaction of reaping the rewards of hard work. I also learned about setbacks, like watching the promise of a bountiful crop decimated by tomato hornworms when we had never seen such an insect in the history of the garden.

My father is an engineer, a builder, a problem solver. Whereas my mother would dive unafraid head first into a project, he would think, measure, draw charts, calculate and plan. I felt growing up that he could fix, build or solve anything. His way of looking for and finding the best solution to a problem was a huge influence on my creative thought process. He showed me a way of looking at things from all angles and how the smallest details were as important as the overall project. It was a waste of time to create something that was makeshift, unattractive and did not last. The quality of the work you did was equally important as getting the job done.I continued to study art in college. First illustration, then metalsmithing. I had an unofficial minor in fiber arts, taking classes in weaving and batik. It was here I first dyed silk. Though I went on to work as a jeweler after college, my love of color never weakened.Then it happened - I took my first belly dance class as a way of getting some fun exercise. I was immediately in love. It was the only form of dance I had ever experienced where I felt I could immerse myself in all the way. Here was a medium where I could express myself physically, emotionally and creatively while showering myself in glittering color.

I am enchanted with silk. It seems to have a life of its own, embracing the dancer as she moves. In this way it becomes an integral part of her and the music. To me this is the perfect medium, a living canvas so to speak. I strive to share and express myself creatively while producing a quality product that will be cherished for years to come. I am further pleased to watch my work in the hands of other artists and sharing in their own expression of creativity.

I have since expanded from dance silks to scarves, pants, other apparel for everyone. It is a continuing journey, I can't wait to see where I end up!

Be Happy ~ Dance ~ Enjoy!