Old Navy and Their Slam on "Artists"

Old Navy is terrible, and their cheap products are as well. I've never been a fan, other than their flip flop clearance in the spring - which isn't worth buying anymore. Their Shirts discouraging artists, is really ignorant and demeaning. Especially to our youth! It took artists to design their cloths, buildings, and applied graphics to customize their signs. Before marking out "artist" as a real career, they should've thanked art for helping them achieve the success, that their company has gained throughout the years.
I've never followed a trendy store. Or really cared for t-shirts with slogans. This is garbage. If I limited my little one from "imaginative" success, then she would fall in line with any other paid establishment. Why not teach her to "create" her own opportunities, and encourage entrepreneurship? The visualization of success has to come from someone.

The Beginning of New Dream Journals

This is the newest journal that I've added to my collection - through a 17 year span of keeping my dreams. My last journal has had a long run, of 10 years. I figured it was time to put the past behind me. Subconsciously, I feel as though 2004 until 2014 were the hardest years of my life.

It's bittersweet reading what I dreamt about, during that time period. Although, a lot of beautiful paintings were born during my hardships. Which, is where the best pieces come from - emotions that need to be expressed. I admit, I can't read myself or know how to constructively open up. Art and dreams are my outlet. Without either, I would be lost like I was as a child.

In my dreams, I've foreseen events that have happened or will happen in the future. I don't call this supernatural or psychic abilities - this is purely psychological. It's my logical intuition - that has been unknowingly repressed (while awake), which builds up through time. I believe our dreams are incredibly important to remember.


Our brains are muscles that need exercise, to remember and memorize things being awake and asleep. My first dream journal was an "awakening" within my life, being lived now. I say this because, after dreaming for so long I've gained more awareness than my wakened state.

First, I woke with feelings and experienced déjà vu, (like I've herd so many people who do). I wanted to remember more, and started a journal. It was so silly at first. Most pages were covered in abstract details, colors, faces, words, or voices. Nothing added up. The first dream I ever remembered was when I was 13 years old. My grandfather (who raised me as his daughter) came to see me, clear as day. He died young, at only 54 in 1996. My dream happened shortly afterwards.

In the dream, we were standing in my front of my grandparents house where I was raised. I looked at him and he smiled. He pointed to the sky and told me to let go. So, after I hesitated and looked up I knew it was time to leave him. I ran harder than I ever had down our hill, and started to fly away. When I looked back, he waved smiling and slowly disappeared.


That was the beginning of my new dream world. It opened so many stories, people, and most importantly messages that I needed to know. Maybe it's one life altering dream that opens our perspectives? If I could paint every dream that has crossed my mind, then I would have thousands of paintings. Although, I do analyze all of them afterwards - the surreal "unknown" one's weigh out for my next picture. Possibly because I believe constructing what I can't understand will eventually put the pieces together.

Newsletters, and current project.

I've finally added a mailing list to my website! This is new to me, since I've never had to maintain constant feedback through the internet. I've had a few people ask where my subscription button was. I figure, it's going to make it easier to keep in contact with the fans who are interested in upcoming projects/paintings. I mentioned in the newsletter that, with me publishing it exclusively - it may not arrive on a weekly basis. Art takes time! Some work may take longer than others. If you want to sign up, you can go to my web page here - or click the link on the right side.

Anyway, I am so happy to be helping my friend out with her site, and receiving help from her as well. The art community has to stick together!

Other than working on my site, I've been painting a new digital piece for an old friend, that I grew up with. Sadly, his little brother passed away from an unexpected death - just this year. It is painful to have to paint him. But, I am very proud that I've been given the chance. I hope it makes his family a wonderful Christmas present.

Winter Landscape Memories

Every December I pull out my snowy paintings, and recall all of the memories that I've had painting them. Most have been sold, or in private collections. Thankfully, I have pictures to always hang on to though. One year during Christmas, I had bundles of limited edition oil landscapes, printed and sold on cards. Sometimes I think of where they all ended up. EBay, MySpace, Work, Friends and Family helped me sell them. If I could count how many people to "thank" for encouraging my career, I would. But, there has been so many real fans who've stuck by me through everything.

A really special person that stood out to me was a friend named Jonathan, who personally sold packs to all of his friends, and people throughout Knoxville. There's absolutely nothing more gratifying than seeing a "spark" in an art fan's eyes. It drives my need to satisfy more viewers, and lovers who are trying to escape the stresses in our world. Anyway, after all of his hard work he only asked for "one" of my cards and a print of my Japanese Rose (Valentine Day Card) to hang on his wall. What a great memory.

Since I was 16, I've tried to keep seasonal prints of my paintings for decorations and gifts. Now that I am older with more responsibilities, I've taken on commissions for others who want specific requests. That's nice as well. But, I'll never forget to look back, and remember the moments that helped put these paintings together.

Autumn Breeze

This was digitally painted on my Wacom, (details) in Samsung Galaxy Note 4, and edited in PS5. She was a fun picture. The fall is my favorite season, mostly because my birthday in October 19th. I love waiting for the peak of the leaves color, right before they fall off of the trees. There's nothing like getting lost in the Smokey Mountains hiking too - for the best inspirations. For years, I've carried my sketchbooks around during each season. Mostly to jot down idea's, and more importantly to capture the colors. Of course autumn is the most vibrant scenery, well depending on where you're from. If you haven't experienced the overwhelming sensations, from a beautiful fall - then I really recommend that you travel to the mountains in late October.

Anyway, "Autumn Breeze" has surprisingly taken off as one of my most popular pieces. I admit, she's one of my favorites as well. I spent a few hours analyzing which angle the wind should blow, and carefully took the time to paint her strands of hair in the right direction. In real life, if you notice - there's a subtle warm light that shimmers through each branch when the wind blows each leaf from it's tree. Every single gust takes at least 10 or more (depending on the size). And, that's when I timed the glow on her skin. Those tiny seconds during each breeze. 

Juxtapoz Inspirations

The San Francisco contemporary magazine has influenced a lot of my pieces, for years. I remember roaming around our bookstores, here in Knoxville Tennessee and being memorized by each months cover. Traditional paintings are widely popular here (in the south). So, of course contemporary art is considered controversial - not as much today as it was 15 years ago. The demographics are changing constantly, and many westerners and northerners are bringing their skills around Knoxville. It's wonderful! I can't help but get excited about new cultures sharing their passions.

Anyway, back to Juxtapoz. I've interacted with many artists and publishers within their company. The best part is, unlike other companies or galleries - they're not afraid to publish the underground artists. Those who scribble provocative things, graffiti, modern, surreal, and (my favorite) "edgy" realism.

There comes a beautiful moment in life for artists, and that is accepting a "taught" schooled skill, or breaking the mold to express individuality. Personally, with my roots coming from my very conservative grandmother (floral artist) Ida Bland - I've developed a structure. Although, refusing to obey the realistic social standards, I've kept my identity. Isn't that what being an artist is about? No restrictions and pure freedom.