and amazingly enough, I won 2nd place!!! I entered one of my latest boxes into the Vice magazine Where The Wild Things Are art contest, and I cant believe that I actually won. I submitted a mere 2 days before the contest was over, and really didn't think I had a chance. Especially after I saw that there was about 160 different submissions. And when I checked to see if they had chosen the top 3 (plus 20 runners up), I saw my little Max calavera smiling back at me!! Soooo RAd!
Check it out ~ [link]

i only have about 3 weeks left until halloween and i still need to make the work for the day of the dead show in alameda. i also have work in a san pablo show that same day, but i am using pieces that i already have done for that one. which definitely takes some pressure off. i am a little behind because i decided to be in a toy show in oakland last minute, but the toy show was in incredible success. and although i didn't sell anything, (not many did) it had an amazing turn out. and i was so very proud to be a part of it. anyhow, now i'm just trying to hurry up and make the work for the alameda day of the dead show. unfortunately, my mom is having foot surgery tomorrow, which means that for the next 2-3 months my sister and i are going to be taking care of her. so , that will not leave a ton of time to do art. so, i don't think i am going to be getting too creative for this show. i will probably recycle some older box ideas. but that is something i like to do anyway. they always seem to come out different, and maybe even slightly better! well, thats about it for now, thanks for reading!!

Well, Its not that bad, I just have a flare for dramatics! I just took part in the Ladies First show( in alameda) presented by my good friends, The Everybody Get Up Crew. The show was quite a success, all of the art was top notch! I think I sold 4 pieces. Not too shabby! I am now preparing for a show on September 11th at the same venue. It will be entitled " The Frame Show", because all of the work has to be in a 4 by 6 Ikea frame. I think this will be a good one, partly because so many of my ever so talented friends are participating in it.

Then the real work begins as I struggle to complete enough work to be in approximately 4 shows on Halloween day!! Yikes! 2 in Alameda( actually within the same gallery,some work in the main gallery, and some in a smaller room in the back), 1 in San Pablo, and 1 in S.F that I do every year entitled" Monsters of Art". Since I dont actually know the exact date of that show, I'm really hoping its the night before, so I don't have to run around so much that day! And of course I have to fit in trick or treating with my boy, Miles! I'm getting tired just thinking about it! And so excited as well! I looove Halloween!!

I'm really doing my best to do as much art as possible these days! And not to be as lazy as I have been in the past. I barely watch t.v, which is great, but only to catch up with True Blood!

Anyways, I hope you all are well, it's great to check in once in a while! Have a great day~ Michelle

First off, the vinyl show went quite well and was a lot of fun! I sold 1 piece and Miles sold 1 too! I really hope that I don't sell anymore because I would like to use them for upcoming events! I am going to be showing some new work at an adorable little store in Hayward called "Tu Tienda Azteca". They have super great art by local artists and also some imported from Mexico. They are having a 2 year anniversary party, and I am showing some art there next Saturday. In August, some friends are throwing an all women's show at the Autobody gallery in Alameda, and I'm stoked to be a part of that. And it seems as if I am going to be pretty booked around the Days of the Dead. I think there will be quite a bit of events that I will be able to take part in. One in Hayward, one in Alameda, and another one in San Pablo, and maybe a couple more! Which means that i really need to be a busy bee and do as much work as possible so I have enough pieces for each event!! Although the Days of the Dead are still 5 months away, that's really not that much time to accomplish all that is on my platter. The Fruitvale Festival, that is the largest 1 day Dia de los Muertos festival in the US, was supposed to be cancelled, but I just got word that it's back on! I have participated in that event for nearly 10 years, but I think I'm finally going to skip it all together this time. It's going to be hard for me to attend without being part of it, but I just feel like the event is becoming too saturated with things that have nothing to do with the festival...like cell phone covers!! Anyhow, I hate when these journals get too long winded, so I think I will stop! Thank you for reading and have a great day!!

so, i am finally getting back into art mode! i made a really cool little guy tonight, i just have to paint him and find a suitable box to put him in! it's funny how much i really enjoy making art, yet continue to procrastinate by finding anything else to do but art! matt136 has a vinyl art show coming up soon, and I'm hoping to contribute something to the show as well. i was actually thinking about trying to make a box out of a record album and making clay figures to go in it. i have made a standard record bowl before, but i'm not sure if a box shape would work. feel free to send me any advise on the subject! i will need all the help i can get! my son miles has a mini art show going on right now of his own. our local book shop does an art display in its window each month, and had a 2 week period with no artist. so, miles was able to put a bunch of his new drawings in it!!! he mostly does portraits, like michael jackson(of course), clint eastwood, the gorillaz, daft punk, etc....he already sold 2 pieces, and was commissioned to do a portrait of someone. he is so proud of himself, and matt and I couldn't be more proud either!!! he also participated in the school talent show last week. he danced to Billie Jean! it went great and everyone loved it! well, thank you for reading, and i will have something new posted soon, and hopefully on a more regular basis!(knock on wood)