Pancake Makeup and The Professional Path

Hello Muffins! I came across an interesting article in the New Yorker I wanted to share with you.


A study paid for by Procter and Gamble (manufacturers of CoverGirl) concludes that women who wear make up--the right kind of make up--are perceived to be more competent, powerful and professionally successful.

As a woman who wears make up (kitty cat eyes everyday day...cause I'm a rock star drag queen) I have conflicting feelings about the findings. Do I wear make up for me? Or do I wear it for others?

Beauty Queen creator Bobbie Brown comments on the ritual of wearing make up and the study saying “We are able to transform ourselves, not only how we are perceived, but how we feel..."

What are your thoughts?

WE CAN MAKE IT.

nail it
post it
sculpt it
bind it
glue it
film it
write it
bake it
wear it
draw it
fold it
sing it
tie it
catch it
sketch it
build it
weld it
sand it
hang it
mail it
make it.

Book Love: Home Rockanomics

You should read this book because:


1) It has 54 projects that cost practically nothing. Really--half of them are garbage.

2) It's pink.

3) The variety of projects it proposes are impressive: sewing, crafting, arting, and cooking. I can't decide which are my favorites: the vegan bike tire belt, the handmade wall paper or the x-ray lampshades.

4) There are ACTUAL instructions, not a collection of perfectly primped pictures of projects no one with a day job could actually recreate.

5) The lady who wrote it, Heidi Minx, created Built on Respect--a non profit group dedicated to raising human rights awareness.

My only qualms with this book is that some of the projects are a little obvious (make patches out of fabric and safety pins...) and some of photographs are difficult to see-- the zine aesthetic is fun and entertaining, it kind of zaps the eyeballs. Despite these minor details, it's a marvelous resource.

What are you reading, my dears?

She's Lurking: No Bait or Bullets

It's around the corner,
Lurking... Where you least suspect it.
Always sneaking--
That Beastie:
the Chance to do something electrifying and cunning.
Build something exquisite.
To snatch it up, sculpt it and skillfully execute
the sparkler-waving, distilled watermelon snowstorm of Potential.

That creature, that chance, that moment see's you.
She Always sees you.
She's not hard to catch--
She requires no special bait or bullets.
No elaborate snares or sales pitch.

The real trickery is in seeing her first.



*Miss Marney Pants as "the Chance".

Stuff That's Totally Doin' It For Me Right Now

Hello Puddings!* It's time for our semi-weekly meditation on all the things that bringing in major joy points: Stuff that's totally doin' it for me right now.

First up, enjoying a steamy cuppa after waking up to our first snow!


Next, my new hair do! I wasn't feeling like myself for quite a while and I am loving this silly new platinum swoopy-doo. Looks like soft serve ice cream.

Then, a pintrest board I've been feathering--full of wintry inspiration: swirly snowflakes and frosty foxes.

Source: ohpioneer.com via Molly on Pinterest

A glorious double chocolate cupcake I destroyed with my beau.


What's totally doin' it for you right now?

F*ck It. Do it: Nights Like Last Night

Hello Sweet Peas! This week was AMAZING. Our exhibition, Kitschmas was a smashing success: the art was excellent, the fashion show was to die for and The Famous Graves slathered it on with a set of schmaltzy dance tunes. It was an intense few weeks and a non-stop go-go-gadget day. But We Survived!!

When you're working on your heART projects, there is always a point of max saturation--a zone you set into while lying in bed mumbling, it's too much, it's too big, I can't do it, WHY do I do this??

Hot prickly moments when you're sure you will punch through walls and take bites out of buildings.

Weird lonely moments when you look around and realize you're not sure where you are.

My best gal pal and collective conspirator, Kelly and I hanging work.

And then nights like last night happen.

Nights where you are surrounded by the people who are passionate about everything they do, insanely talented wunderkind who have to be aliens because there is no other explanation for their awesomeness.

Weeks of work slip by smoothly in a few hours and you can't believe it's over--everything explodes in perfect harmony and you stand back to say, "Holy shit. We made that."

I want to take this time to tell you that if you are scared of a project--
If you feel too small to make it--
or unsure of your skills--

Fuck it. Do it.

Fear and excitement are strangely similar. :)

For now, I'm off to my Girl Cave to recover--my apartment in dire need of attention, writing to write and coffee to sip. Plotting plots and scheming schemes...

Wishing each of you much Love, Paint and Rock'n'Roll!

Swizzle Fashion Show Sneak Peeks!

Hello Cherrubs! I apologize for the light posting week--I'm in the final days of putting together an exhibition and fashion show: Kitschmas! I've been buzzing between studios, rehearsals and shopping trips that are more like a scavanger hunts. (Never imagined half a dozen pairs of seamed stockings would be so difficult to score!)

Here are a few sneaky peeps of the fashion show my mum and I are working on! "Swizzle: A vintage cocktail inspired runway showcase"!

The event poster, designed by my lovely and talented friend Kelly.

Custom bubble jewelry!

This is exactly what it looks like--making giant limes. :}

A peep at the beginnings of the "Dirty Martini"

Fat Mew, skulking around the studio.


Vintage pumps and berry colored brocade!

Stuffed strawberry soon to adorn a pink sorbet muff!

I can't wait to post pictures of the show--Wish us luck!

Video: Resume Crash Course

Hello motorbabies! Do you have one? A resume that'll knock the socks off your future boss? Don't think you need one? Think again! A fine tuned resume will help you rock your way to where you want to be. Don't know where to start? In this video I discuss 12 specific tips to help you develop your resume.



HerSpeak's Quick and Dirty Crash Course on Resume Construction!

1: Make your resume fit on one page

2: Start with ALL of your contact information.

3: Start with your most recent experience and work backwards.

3: Only include pertinent information--you have one page to make an impression.

4: Tailor your information for each resume you write.

5: Provide references right away. Include them on a separate page.

6: Personalize it! What do you look like on paper?

7: Don’t use silly font. You are not a lemonade stand--Don’t do it!

8: Include a list of your skill sets.

9: Include an objective statement.

10: If you can, deliver your resume in person.

11: Have more than one resume. That way when opportunity knocks you can whip out the appropriate resume like a ninja and get it out! Time is of the essence.

12: Constantly Revise your resume.

What tips do you have to share?

Virgin a Day: 10

Hello Violets! Today's virgin is a mixed media painting I made a few years ago: spatters of ink and candy wrapper bits. From the very beginning I have always loved her image--especially the fleshy fragrant roses that rested upon her head or near her heart...

"Oh Immaculate heart of Mary,
full of Goodness--
show your Love towards us.
Let the flame of you Heart,
Oh Mary, Descend on all people."

Join the pilgrimage here. <3

Virgin a Day: 9

Hello Starlings! Today's Virgin is a digital collage I created for a goddess journal--the blending of Mary and Isis. May her holy hypnotic rainbow magic be housed in your heart today. <3

"Dear Goddess, You fiercely tender, hauntingly reassuring, orgiastically sacred feeling that is even now running through all of our soft, warm animal bodies:

I pray that you provide everyone out there with a license to bend and even break all rules, laws and traditions that keep them apart from the things they love.

Show them how to purge the wishy-washy wishes that distract them from their daring, dramatic, divine desires.And teach them that they can have anything they want if they'll only ask for it in an unselfish way."
--Incredible Prayer by Rob Brezsny Join the pilgrimage here.

Dream Journal: Violet Diamond Water

Hello Damselflies! I can tell the moon is growing, because my dreams are becoming more and more bewitching and vibrant--lavish creamy colors and details I remember days after...

"A few nights later, I was a mermaid--Serpentine and glistening. Long tendrils of hair suspended in the shallow water. The sand below was studded with jewels--I touched each one with my fingers, occasionally scooping them up by the sparkling handful. I was quick and free--my purple scales flashing. I could make out the wobbling orb of the moon from beneath the waves. I had never been happier."

Where have you been wandering?

Virgin a Day: 8

Good morning Creampuffs! I apologize to those of you have seen this image before. This particular Virgin is a watercolor I started for an artists book. She will eventually be cut into pieces and sewn together as a quilt with images of other modern goddesses and mothers of Earth.
"Like most people in modern culture, my first experience with the goddess unbeknownst to me, was with Mary...I met her with I was seventeen in Mexico in the purple velvet, candle lit churches of Sinaloa. The Sensuality and warmth of those rooms greatly comforted me."

--From Carolyn McVickar Edwards' book The Storyteller's Goddess: Tales of The Goddess and Her Wisdom from Around The World.

Join the pilgrimage here. Many Blessings! <3

HerSpeak's Accidental Poetry Slam

Hello Rosehips! While scanning the scribbles of my journal I came upon an unintentional poem I made while writing a note to myself:


You have a plan-- It's okay if you're afraid.
Don't wallow in DOOM that hasn't bloomed yet--
The world isn't evil
Just some of the people in it.

But you don't have to answer--
Their shitty sour whims and catcalls.

You will not drown at the bottom of the tank
a Penniless
Friendless
Raisin of a person.

You believe it when you say,
You believe in the "Sea of Possibilities"
Because you know it's True-- You've seen it.
You answer to and Bull Ride a
Kinder,
Gentler
Vibration.

<3

Virgin a Day: Lady Light: HerSpeak Guided Meditation

Hello My Pretty Ponies! Today's post is a combo--a potpourri if you will-- of projects I find inspiring. This is my first attempt at recording an original guided meditation. I hope you enjoy it. :)

Virgin a Day: 6

Today's Virgin is a digital collage from my art journal. Join the party here. May all your dreams come true today!

Virgin a Day: 5

"Love is on The Way"

Good morning, muffins. Today's virgin is a shrine crafted from a mini Altoid tin. You can see more of my tin shrines here. Feeling inspired? Join the party here. Wishing you all radiant love today! <3

Virgin a Day: 4

Today's Virgin is a photo I took a few years back. My mother and grandmother are tucked into this photograph as well. :) Join the party here! Wishing you all much Light. <3

How To Be Alone: Video Poem

Hello fireflies! I came across this video through a friend and after watching I was inspired-- It filled me up.

This is some beautiful Truth. I wanted to share it with you:



Wishing you many moments of bliss and open spaces--quiet thoughts and savored solitude. :)

Virgin a Day: 3

This morning's Mary is a collage from my art journal. Join the party here. :)
Wishing you much Joy!

Nose Candy: Paint Diary

Hello Kittens! There's gold leaf on the ceiling and green acrylic on my sweater-- getting new pieces ready for "Kitschmas" a group invitational exhibition we're hosting in a few weeks. The theme for this show is Kitsch: the gaudy, the gross and giggle inducing. It's been liberating being able to really experiment and get silly. Here is the progress of my totally tasteless contribution:

My process always starts with a photograph.

Next, I start "carving" out the figure with broad strokes--most of the under-painting is still exposed. The patterns really needed to pop--I'm finding myself being inspired by fashion magazine spreads and obnoxious dubstep remixes. It could be weirder. So, I pushed it further--

One gold-leaf unicorn horn and a snort of silver glitter later, I came to this. It got gross...and I'm pleased. I've never made a painting quite like this: it's tighter, smaller and stranger than anything I've made in recent history. I'm excited to see where the tacky train takes me. :}

Virgin a Day: 1 & 2

Hello bunnies! While visiting my friend at Lisa at Priti Studio, I found out about this magical blog party that's happening and couldn't resist. Our lovely hostess, Rebecca Brooks of Corazon invites us to post an image of Mary every morning until her feast day, December 12th! Here are my contributions for the 1st and 2nd:

A video shrine I made of my sacred space:

A quick collage from my art journal:

This party is not about a specific religion or religion at all, but about sharing beauty, kindness and the deeply fascinating peace of the Mother. You are all invited! <3