Self Portrait Tuesday

Self Portrait Tuesday,
originally uploaded by Anessa.

Better late than never... a rare profile shot.

Quit Your Job.

I am still hanging on to the dream that I can one day buy a small retail property to finally start up my Gallery.
Yes, the same Gallery I have boring you to death with over the past 12 years. The one who's name changes but layout is basically the same every time.
The one you all have agreed to consign work in.
You do remember agreeing to consign, don't you?

So with this little dream tucked away in my aspirations shirt pocket,
I continue to look at property.
All the time.
In every town I pass.
Especially when we are traveling near the ocean.

Last week, I spotted the cutest little home for sale right on the edge of the Lowertown Arts District.
Yesterday, I went inside....twice.... and talked to the owner for a very long time.
Let me tell you. It's perfect. 1940's, completely renovated. 1,200 sq. ft of cuteness and possibility.

I want it for myself in the worst way.
I don't believe we are in the position to buy this little gem of a residential/commercially zoned gem at the current moment...
However, maybe one of you are.
I figure if I can't have it...well, next best thing is to have a friend buy it.

That's why I am writing this.
Many of you have flirted with the idea of moving here for the Artist Relocation Program...
Over 60 artists have made the move already and the homes are going very quickly now.
Especially the little ones.

I'm writing this because,
maybe today is the day you say....
"I've had it with my job."
Maybe today is the day you say....
"I want to open the _______ store I have been dreaming of."
Maybe today is the day you say....
"I miss Anessa so terribly I must move to be near her."

Or not.

Let me know if any of you are interested in this property and I'll tell you all about it.
I would tell Holly but it will be gone by the time she get's here. Plus she wants something a little more grand.
(She called this week and said her trip is now scheduled for October because she is still filming her movie.)

Also....it's self portrait Tuesday again....I'll have to post something later.

One Red Paperclip

Kyle MacDonald has just embarked on a great adventure....
An adventure that began with one red paperclip...
A paperclip that he soon traded for a fish pen....
that he then traded for a hand-crafted artisan knob....
that was then up-traded for a Coleman camping stove....

See where this is going? It's a great idea, and Kyle has a bunch of great ideas.

Yes, this former tree-planter and self-described roughneck of a young man,
at 25 has devised a most ingenious plan.
An ingenious plan to own a home.
A home on a island if things go well on his travels.

The best part?
Along the way to his one day home...on his some day island,
he will meet many, many people.
Each of them offering him something valuable for his journey,
out of the pure goodness of their heart....
and the desire to meet such a smart and charming young lad, live vicariously though him for a while, and become part of the great adventure.

He's friendly, a wonderful writer and and a very funny guy....
he even reads my blog from time to time....and leaves comments.
You guys do realize there is a comment button, right?

So, after reading my praises for this cutie, I can't believe you are still hanging around the Sparkle Hut.
What are you waiting for? He needs to trade a Coleman stove with someone...
Could it be you?

Dreaming is Free.

I believe that big fat moon up in the sky is really affecting the dreams
in our big fat heads
in our big fat bed lately.

Last night Mark dreamed that he was dodging bullets in the war all night long.
He didn't sleep a wink and woke up quite disturbed. The war in Iraq and George W. are worrying us both to death. Now, however Mark can't escape the worry even while sleeping. I cannot imagine what the soldiers and the families of our soldiers are feeling. I wish it would just be over.

And, earlier this week, I dreamed I was sitting across from a wheelchair bound elderly lady while she sang, quite heartbreakingly, two verses of Faithfully, by Journey.

"Highway run
Into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round
You’re on my mind
Restless hearts
Sleep alone tonight
Sendin’ all my love
Along the wire

Circus life
Under the big top world
We all need the clowns
To make us smile
Through space and time
Always another show
Wondering where I am
Lost without you."

She was just sitting and singing beautifully, simply, and sadly.
There was no music. Just her voice and my tears. I think maybe someone was trying to get a message to me from the other side. I didn't recognize the lady, but she was little and had a kind face and was wearing a pink robe.
Oh no!
Maybe it was me having a glimpse into the future!
Now that's wild.

Oh yeah.... eventually three happy little yellow canaries in pink tu-tus showed up and were buzzing about. Maybe they were the the clowns "we all need to make us smile"? From the verse above?

Hmmm.

Sure was interesting....I can't get her voice (or, my voice?) out of my mind.

In other, less crazy news:
I wanted to let you guys know my website is up. I think is looks really great! My designer did a great job. Be sure and visit his site. There is a button in the bottom right hand corner on my home page that will take you there.

With that said,
Presenting:
...........drumroll.............

Living Color Studio.net


It needs some very minor tweaking...
(For instance, there are a few awkward run on sentences I want to change and my photo is kinda pretentious. I'd like to replace it with a smiling photo..and I might add a few paintings...)
But overall-- I think it looks great.

If you have any suggestions please feel free to share them with me before meet with the designer again.

So, that's all for today.
I promise I will post something good soon.
I've been to busy out making stories for you to read...hasn't left much time for blogging.

self portrait tuesday (has it been a week already?)

self portrait tuesday,
originally uploaded by Anessa.

Getting back to the real world after a fun filled extended 4-day weekend in Lexington....details to follow soon... in the meantime, check out the flickr badge for fun new photos!

Self Portrait Tuesday

This little scene is quite common at our home. Lilly waits patiently, sometimes drooling, as I eat my nightly dessert.
As I reach the bottom of the bowl, container, or cone, her eyes bug out and she begs for me to share the last few precious bites. I always give in. She's 11.5 years old now. How could I deny a this magnificent, charming, senior, dog-child of mine the pleasure of evening dessert? I plan on spoiling her even rottener as she gets older.

Mick, Vans, Willy and Rumspringa!

What a great Friday night!
We managed to squeeze all sorts of fun stuff into one evening...

Our night began with a trip to the mall where we treated ourselves to one fun and completely unnecessary item each.
Rules were it had to be limited to $30 or less...and it had to be non serious in being.
Predictably, we found ourselves lusting over the trend crazy merchandise in Hot Topic.
If you haven't a Hot Topic store, I should probably let you know it is designed to market directly to 12-18 year old goth/rave kids. So being that we are pushing 40, and look like that particular demographic's parental units, we just can't seem to stop ourselves.
We love that store.
That is, unless they're blaring death metal on the sound system...I find that particular genre of music somewhat challenging to shop to.
So, blending in with freak lot gang as best we could manage,
Mark picked out an awesome pair of camoflage Vans that happened to be 25% off and I got an ultra fabulous tiny black tee with a ginormous metallic silver and purple vinyl transfer of who else?
My boy Mick Jagger. While paying for our finds, we had an absolutlely entertaining conversation with a young wisp of punk rock check-out girl who had, in fact, been backstage at two Stones concerts in her short life. As luck would have it, her mom is a tree farmer and is therefore friends with Chuck Lavelle, who plays keyboards with the boys also has a tree farm. I called her a "lucky duck"and my cool, hip facade went straight out the window.
I might have well have said, "nifty" or "neato"!
Very uncool, indeed.
Oh well.

Moments later we were treking across the steamy parking lot to the wonderfully air conditioned cinema. There we
bought two tickets to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, a huge tub-o-popcorn, refreshing soft drinks and my ultimate favorite, a SUPER SIZE box of Raisinettes. You may want to take note: The low fat healthfulness of this particular candy allows one to eat double the amount of other movie theatre dietary fare.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie. But to be brutally honest, I suppose the most "thumb" I would give this movie would be two sideways semi-enthusiastic thumbs pointing slightly upwards.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm very glad we went and I was fully entertained,
but I could never really quite get over Mr. Depp's somewhat bizarre performance.
His portrayal of Mr. Wonka....was, well, haphazard.
I would also like to say that the rest of the cast, the elaborate sets, artistic direction and costumes were flawless.
I stayed hypnotized pretty much the whole time....and the kids in the theatre were hilarious. I love hearing little kids belly laugh. It's a simple and good thing.

After the movie, since it was only 9pm, we stopped at the rental store on our way home and picked up an "employee's pick of the week" movie called, Devil's Playground. Whoa! What a mind blowing eye-opener!
I give this documentary-style movie two enthusiastic thumbs way up....way up pointing towards heaven.
You see, this movie is a sneak peek into the Amish tradition called Rumspringa. I had never heard of Rumspringa but it is an unbelieveable tradition in which 16 year olds of the Amish faith are allowed to "go english" for an unspecified period of time and learn all about the outside world. All I can say is you have got to rent this. Those Amish kids you see at the Wal Mart riding in the horse drawn buggy? Well, don't be so certain they aren't coming off a crystal meth high, sweating out a serious hangover and trying to remember where they got all those hickies. I'm tellin' ya. Rumspringa is crazy! Booze, sex, crack, 1500 person field parties. It ain't your grandpa's
Rumspringa, that's for sure!

As our evening drew to a late night close, Mark watched A National Treasure, starring Nick Cage, while dozing off during the non-action scenes and I googled rumspringa for about 2 hours. Mesmerized by tales of buck wild Amish teens.

To sum up our weekend in a word: Hottopiwonkorumspringalicious....
(but definitely not nifty.)

Ooooh....me likey!

Wow!
These boots are really cool...
I think I am in love with them.
Seriously.

I wear a size 6.
*hint*

Click here to learn more about them.
I was looking for pink sandals to wear to my friend Jennifer's wedding, but ended up lusting after these somewhat impractical boots.....funny how that always happens,isn't it?

A Dingo Named Bruce and his Posh Sister, Lilly.

They have very different ideas of how best to spend a hot, Western Kentucky, Wednesday aftenoon.

Bruce opts for the refreshing garden hose and some mindless frolic....










and Lilly says,
"Would you be a doll, and turn up the AC just a smidge?"

Self Portrait Tuedsay

self portrait tuedsay,
originally uploaded by Anessa.

After all, it is a blog about me, right?

Angel on My Easel

Just a little glimpse of what I'm up to....if you're wondering, that is.

A Story about Snow

Since it it so hot outside, I thought I would tell you a short little story about snow.

It is a comedy of errors, and a true tale from the early years of our marriage.

The Setting:
7:30 a.m. and the happy couple is rushing about their tiny apartment in Lexington,Kentucky.
It is cold a very cold and blustery morning after an incredible late night winter storm.
They are both running late as they gather their belongings and try to get out the door and start their winter journeys to their jobs.

The Characters:
Anessa, Mark, Guy in Red Car, and The Officer.


And the Scene Begins:

Mark: (hurriedly) I gotta go, babe. Give me a kiss and I'll see you after work.

Anessa: Okay.... Bye, honey. Oh, dang it! I forgot to print my report out for work... I'm going to be a few more minutes. I'll lock up.
I love you. **kiss, kiss**

Mark: Love you, too. **kiss** Have a good day.

The door slams, as a few stray snowflakes swirl their way in to the warm and toasty living room, quickly evaporating into thin air. Mark's car leaves the driveway with a honk and a wave, and Anessa goes upstairs to print out the forgotten report for her work presentation.

Anessa: (Re-emerging only minutes later from printing her report, runs through her mental check list while rushing out the front door)
Report in hand? Check.
Keys? Check.
Coffee pot off? Check.
Door locked? Check, check.....and check....check....check.


Anessa pulls her knitted red cap down over her ears and makes a run through the cold for her wonderfully pre-heated car where she carefully, but swiftly, begins her navigation down the snowy road towards work.

Anessa: (thinking again...this time while driving her car) Hmmm. That looks a lot like Mark's car over there.
Oh! It is Mark...
What is he doing? Oh, how nice.
Looks like he's helping that poor man who's car is stuck in the snow.
What a great guy my husband is.
Stopping to help a person-in-need even when he's late for work.
I love him so much. **dreamy sigh** What a guy.

Mark and Guy in Red Car stop their chilly project, look up wide-eyed and start waving their arms desperately... mouthing something Anessa cannot quite make out.

Anessa: (audibly) What? Honey, what are you saying?
Oh, it's slick through here.
Oh, it's very slick.
I'm sliding! Oh my gosh! Oh no! Ohhhhhhh noooooooo!
Move! Move, honey! Mooooove!

In the matter of a split second Anessa has completely lost control of her automobile as the car's wheels slide effortlessly into two huge luge-like iced ruts in the road. Upon locking in on the luge-ruts, her car picks up speed, and careens dangerously towards her beloved husband and the Guy who owns the Red Car on the side of the road.

Mark: (screams) Oh shit!
Guy in Red Car: (screams) Oh shit!
Anessa: (screams) Oh shit!

In a heroic maneuver, Mark pushes Red Car Guy out of danger's way, while Anessa's car proceeds to strike Mark, knocking him down with a thud to the ice, and then continues to slide through the intersection hitting, not only Mark's car, but also hitting the Red Car. This is now the second hit for Red Car. You see, Mark wasn't helping the Red Car guy, after all. He had just rear-ended Red Car Guy moments earlier. They were out, in the freezing cold, surveying the still fresh damage and waiting for the police to arrive when Anessa's car popped over the hill.


Anessa: (emerging from her now also newly banged up car, hysterically runs towards Mark, tears ruining her perfectly applied mascara as she searches his glazed eyes) Oh my God! **sob**I ran over you! Are you okay? **sob** Are you okay?

Mark: (laying flat on his back in the snow, says nothing, but after a seemingly infinite moment, faint words intermingled with visible breath are uttered) Yeah.... Uh.... Ow....... I think I'm okay.

Guy: I don't know if we should move him. What if something's broken?

Anessa: (eye's now squirting tiny ice cube tears, faster than her Frigidaire) I am sooooo sorry.....**sob** I, I just hit that patch of ice and I, I, I couldn't stop. **sob**

Guy: It's okay lady, this guy did the exactly the same thing about ten minutes ago..

Mark: (shaken) I think I'm okay. Help me up. Get me out of this f-ing road before someone else runs over me.

Anessa and Red Car Guy help Mark to his feet and walk him carefully to the side of the road. Meanwhile the Police Officer arrives with roof lights twirling and blinking. There is absolutely no comforting Anessa at this point, as she has just realized this is her 3rd wreck in one year. Her insurance will be cancelled for the second time in her short driving career by the end of the afternoon.

Officer: (walking over while adjusting his belt and looking around at the carnage) What exactly happened here?

Guy: (nervous and panicked, begins to mumble a tale unbelievable events through his navy woolen neck scarf)
Officer, I got stuck here at this intersection
(points to intersection).....
when this guy
(points to Mark who is still barely moving and still stunned from being struck by a car).....
came along and hit this patch of ice.....
(points to the ridiculous luge-like ruts in the snow)....
his car slid, just like mine, and ran into my car......
Then, while we were waiting for you....
(points at the officer).......
this lady
(points at Anessa who now looks like an extremely distraught mental patient)
came along and hit the same patch of ice......
She ran over him with her car......
and, and, and, then slid through the intersection....
and ran into his car his car.......and mine!

Officer: (directly to Mark and Anessa, doubtfully)
It that really what happened?

Mark: (still foggy but coming out of it) Yeah, basically.

Anessa:(lip trembling) Yes, **sob** and I'm so sorry!

Officer: Well, lets all calm down and get in the back of the cruiser where it's nice and warm.
Then we'll write an accident report and call some wreckers. Okay?

Everyone agrees to cram into the back seat and The Officer begins the questioning from the front seat.
Anessa, still whimpering, sits in the middle, between Mark (who is feeling better by the moment)
and Red Car Guy (who, is now, both ticked-off and bewildered)

Mark: (turns to face Anessa who he fears may have taken a plunge off the deep end)
It's okay. It's okay.
Look, it really is going to be alright.
We're lucky it wasn't more serious.
None of us are hurt that bad.
No one is dead...or even bleeding.
It could have been so much worse.

Anessa: (looks into Mark's forgiving eyes and starts to tear up again)
I'm so sorry.... Can you ever forgive me for running over you and wrecking your car in the same.......

Then, without letting her finish her sentence, Mark puts his hands on Anessa's face, he pulls her close and kisses her on the lips for a very good long moment, thereby silencing her apologetic chatter. After this tender kiss, he takes her into his arms to console her.

Guy: (under his breath to Officer)
Oh. My. God.....
I, I don't fricking believe this....
Dude's kissing her!!!

Officer: (peering over from front seat with popping eyes, clears his throat and interrupts this stolen moment)
Ugh, ummm.
May I ask, what in the heck is going on here, kids?

Mark: I'm sorry, Officer, but what do you mean?

Officer: Young man, you just kissed the woman that ran over you.

Guy: (staring in sheer amazement at Mark's seemingly unconventional way of picking up women)

Mark: Oh.... (chuckles a little and looks at Anessa) Honey?

Anessa: (Manages an uneasy smile) Um, I'm his wife.


......and the cruiser slowly begins to bubble over with the sound of uncontrolable laughter......

The End.

Self Portrait Tuesday

Just what I needed!
A good excuse to take more photos of myself...
It's called Self Portrait Tuesday at Flickr.

I'm like a monkey in the mirror.
Simultaneously repulsed, amazed, amused and fascinated by my own face.
No wonder I paint portraits. I love faces.
Everyone's. All kinds.
I am especially, strangely, attracted to people with unusual, slightly bizarre, features.
Big noses, baggy eyes, a chipped tooth, a scar.
All are beautiful to me....enough talk, already....
I gotta get back there and see some more faces!
Care to join me?

Who's A Lucky Lady Today?(and the winner of a free painting?)

I have received a few e-mails recently inquiring about the winning name submitted for the contest I was having to re-name by portrait work business.

Well, although, I really liked many of the suggestions,
especially "Pop Goes the Easel"
Marcy is very clever like that.

One particular entry kept coming back to me.

After many conversations with a talented local web designer named Glen...
who also happens to be Mark's step-brother's step-brother, and his best childhood skateboarding buddy.

I made the final decision by registering a domain name.

So, are you ready?

The winner of this life altering contest is:

**********anticipation building drumroll*****************

Living Color Studio

With a tag line of:
--casual portraits for the modern world--

The winning name was submitted by my dear friend Lori Lyn @ Dream Life Studio.
This lucky gal will soon receive a fabulously free 16X20 original oil portrait of the subject of her choice.
Heywood? Ava? T?

My glamourous new and improved web site should be up and running sometime this month so be sure to check it out.
The web address is LivingColorStudio.net.

So, congratulations, LL!
I hope you wanted another one of my paintings.
If not, they make great gifts!

And to those of you who did not win;
Most sincere thanks to each of you
for some absolutely hilarious and some extremely thoughtful ideas.
Your participation was much appreciated.