been busy creating

I think this may be the longest I've gone without making a post since I created this blog. Oh well. Does anyone really even read this? Sometimes I think it's more like a journal for me. But for those of you who are interested, I've been BUSY. Kev said the other day that he's never seen me make so much art since I graduated in 2010 (maybe even more than that). It feels great to be creating so much; I just wish I didn't have to have a day job. I would get so much more done. 

So why I am I cranking out arts and crafts like my life depends on it? I got into The Plaza District Festival!!! I'm excited, nervous and slightly terrified. It is an outdoor festival. If you live or have ever lived in Oklahoma you know why this scares me. Last week it was close to triple digit temps, today it is raining and 57 degrees. My parents bought me a 10x10' canopy tent with a side wall and some wire walls to hang stuff on. I feel slightly better about housing my entire life's work on the streets of OKC with some cover, but I still can't help being a little nervous. This is also my first festival by myself. I've been in a group tent before and shows where they have a small "marketplace", but I've never even had a solo show before. I feel honored and a little shocked that I got in. I have to just keep telling myself whatever happens, happens for a reason. 

I was a featured artist on the Plaza'a blog the other day. Read it here if you would like. Short and sweet... and exciting. 

Here is a sneak peek at some of the new work that I will have there. I will also have some teeny tiny pieces for $5 and under as well as some OKC Thunder inspired jewelry. Come out to The Plaza District on September 29th!

"Baby" 9"x12"
recycled magazines and paper on canvas

"For Kevin" 8"x8"

"Home On The Range" 4.5"x7"

make art not trash is next week!

One week from tomorrow people! "Make Art Not Trash" at FRINGE Gallery 4027 N. Classen. I'm ready! Everything is done and ready to be hung. I'm so excited about this one. (Mostly because my favorite food truck Big Truck Tacos will be there.) 
One thing I'm semi-disappointed about... no artist statements. I know I know, I always complain about writing them, but I think they are important in some ways. This project started out without a real concept to me. I was just making a pretty design in a window. But as I was working, a concept started to appear. Then when I moved on to the 3 small pieces I already had that idea in my head. I can kind of clue the viewer into that concept with the titles, but that only gives away so much. I'll be interested to see what people think. But for all of you reading this (lucky you) you get to read the one I already wrote. 

"Most of us long for a place to call our own. As artists it is important to be surrounded by inspiration in daily life. If we’re not inspired, we’re not creating. At first I wasn’t sure why I was drawn to this window, but as I continued to work on a design it became clear that I was creating a fantasy land through it. I was looking through the window at a reality that I longed to create: a little yellow house on a hill with a garden where everything is always bright and sunny. The three small pieces came after I realized this concept. Here is this house with the sunny garden, and here is this family that is longing to be there. Simply silhouettes against a dreamy backdrop, their faces are obscure. They’re not really there yet but look toward the window longing to be there."

The 3 small pieces will be hung vertically on the right side of the window piece. Here's a sneak peek, but if you want to see it for real, you have to come to the show. 

Mr. Mrs. & Jr. mixed media: found objects, paper, magazines

If you can't make it the night of the opening, we have gallery hours on Saturdays 10-4 or you can make an appointment on the FRINGE website and someone will be there to let you in. The show will be up for about a month, so come see it!

trash turned art

I finished the biggest part of my new project. I'll post the finished piece later. This piece is for a show with FRINGE called "Make Art Not Trash".  It is made out of cardboard, magazines and paper. 5 minutes into cutting and gluing tiny pieces of paper, I thought I was going to hate this, but I ended up really enjoying the process. What do you think?

"Little Yellow House on the Hill" (working title) 2 x 2 feet

detail (the paper pieces are about the size of
my fingernail, some are smaller)

I found our wedding vows!!!

I haven't posted in a while, but I thought my findings today called for a post. A couple of years ago my old crappy computer died and I lost a lot of old files (or so I thought). Well I had them transferred over to my new computer, but there were things I wasn't able to find (like our wedding vows). We wrote our own vows inspired by a wedding prayer from Lama Thubten Yeshe and a few Ram Dass quotes. We just had our 3rd wedding Anniversary on the 13th. It also marked 8 years of being together! I was inspired to make a photo collage with 1 picture from every year we've been together. 

I also started scouring the computer and old boxes again for those vows, and I found them! I'm so excited to share them with you (or for you to hear them again if you were there). I know it sounds cheezy and sappy, but I really feel like I'm more in love with Kevin than I was on our wedding day, or even yesterday. I feel like every year and every day just gets better and better. So here they are. Be inspired. Be love. Enjoy...


June 13, 2009


"Love has to spring spontaneously from within and is in no way amenable to any inner or outer force. Love and coercion can never go together. But though love cannot be forced on anyone, it can be awakened in them by love itself. Love is essentially self communicative, those who do not have it catch it from those who have it. True love is unconquerable and irresistible, and it goes on gathering power and spreading itself until eventually it transforms everyone whom it touches. Being is dying by loving." -Be Here Now by Ram Dass

"The most important aspect of love is not in giving or receiving: it's in the being. When I need love from others, or need to give love to others, I'm caught in an unstable situation. Being in love, rather then giving or taking love, is the only thing that provides stability. Being in love means seeing the Beloved all around me." -Being Love by Ram Dass

Kevin and Sarah…

Do you promise to work together to develop your hearts and minds: cultivating compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration and wisdom as you age together?

Do you promise to follow the path of love, compassion and joy? 

Do you promise to see all the circumstances of life as a challenge to help you grow together, to open your hearts, to accept yourselves, and each other; and to generate compassion for others?

Do you promise to seek to understand yourselves, each other, and all living beings, to examine your own minds continually and to observe all the mysteries of life with curiosity and joy?

Do you promise to preserve and enrich your love for each other and radiate this love outward to all things?

Do you promise day to day, to be patient with yourselves and each other and to seek inspiration from others?

Do you promise to continuously strive to remember your own divinity, as well as the divinity of all living beings; to maintain the awareness that all things are temporary, and to remain optimistic that you can achieve your greatest potential and lasting happiness?

This ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love,

an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond 

which unites two hearts.

These rings have no beginning and no end.

Love, freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver.

May these rings always be reminders of the vows you have taken today.


I honor the spirit in you which is also in me. I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells: the place of love integrity, wisdom and peace. When you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, we are ONE. Namaste!

Sit.Stay.Art! & A Blondies Recipe

Sit.Stay.Art! is one of my favorite fundraisers of the year. I participated last year and sold both pieces. This year I am submitting two pieces of kitties who need homes as well as an old piece of my own rescue kitty. The event is June 2nd at IAO Gallery in OKC. Here is a sneak peak...

"Nancy"

"Carmen"

Well I think the summer weather has given me the energy to bake again... & blog again! So here is my newest original recipe. I forgot a picture, but they were beautiful! Enjoy!


Blackberry Pistachio Blondies


Ingredients
6 T. butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 egg
1 cup flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. baking soda
1/4 cup whole unsalted pistachios
1 pint blackberries


Directions
Preheat oven to 325. Grease a square baking pan. Beat together sugar and butter until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Add the rest of the ingredients except nuts and berries. Mix until well combined. Spread into pan and pour berries on top pressing down into the batter. Then pour nuts on top and bake 25-30 min. Enjoy!

on hold

Well I've done it again. I think I should just go ahead and say it, I'm putting the blog on hold for a while. I simply just don't have time for it right now. But since I am on here I might as well give you all something to look at. The FRINGE Gallery opening show is coming up on May 18th. Here are a few sneak peeks...

Two Bros & A Kidney

Part 1 of 6 of my big piece: Bits and Pieces

Part 2

Part 5

More to come. I will definitely make a post about the show. I have a few new recipes for next time too. I can't believe I went all the way through March with no blog posts! So I'm not making any promises about April either. We'll just say it is on hold for now.

FRINGE GROJ Sale 2011

http://fringeokc.com/events/

Despite the freezing cold and the buckets of rain and the water main break, FRINGE's GROJ Sale event was a major success! We had a few bumps in the road, but I made out like a bandit! I made back what money I've put into this so far plus some. Not to mention the exposure that our group and every individual artist got. We had some trading going on, and I came home with 2 paintings and a necklace. This is the funnest group of girls and some pretty amazing artists. I feel so lucky to be a part of their group. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us and all the helpers!

FRINGE shirts $25

My little mini prints for $5

My section of prints in the tent

show next weekend!

I have 3 pieces in this show next weekend! The Fringe girls will be there and it's for a great cause! So if you're in the area come out and support breast cancer awareness and local art.

These are the 3 pieces that will be up for sale by yours truly!

"Occupy Your Mind" mixed media on wood $250

"Oneness Is Love" mixed media on wood $300

"Create Reality" serigraphy and mixed media
on wood $300

FRINGE and some recipes

In my post about 12x12 I mentioned that I ran into an old friend and a new opportunity. Well here's the news... 

I am now a part of an amazing womens' art group called FRINGE! I went to school with Christie Hackler, who is co-creator of the group. I ran into her at 12x12 and she told me all about it. I submitted my portfolio and last week I attended their monthly meeting. I'm so excited about what is in store for this group of ladies. Everyone's work is so inspirational and I've loved reconnecting and meeting new artists. I'm also pretty excited that I have a space on the webpage with my bio and a few pieces and also a link to my portfolio website! I can't wait for our first event!

I guess this is kind of like two posts in one because now I have some recipes for you. It is getting cooler outside and that just makes me feel like baking all the time. So here are two great things to bake, one savory and one sweet. Enjoy!


Homemade Cornbread (NOT from a box!)
Ingredients
1 stick melted butter
1 1/2 cups cornmeal (yellow or white)
1 cup flour
6 T. sugar
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 cup buttermilk (can be substituted for plain milk, half &half, or I used soymilk)
3 eggs


Directions
Preheat oven to 400. Butter a square baking pan. Stir together dry ingredients. Whisk together butter, milk and eggs. Mix wet ingredients into dry, but do not over mix. Bake 20-25 min. Serve with butter and honey.


Better for you Brownies
Ingredients
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)


Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Spray a square baking pan with cooking spray. Mix together oil, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in another bowl. Gradually stir into egg mixture. Stir in nuts and chips if desired. Spread batter into pan and bake 20-25 min.


Notes
These are only "better for you" because there is no butter. Why did I make brownies without butter you ask? Because I was out of butter. But let me tell you, these are some of the best brownies I've ever had! 

momentum tulsa and the womb

Two more openings this weekend: Friday 3 artists at The Womb Gallery and Saturday Momentum Tulsa. Both were awesome! I took tons of pictures, so I'll let them tell the story.

Kevin outside The Womb

R Robot at The Womb

Chip7 at The Womb

El Kamino and Chip7 collaboration
at The Womb

Not sure which one of the artists did this...
in the back room, sort of like a garage.

Momentum Tulsa behind the ticket table
where we volunteered

Jessica Tankersley: Twitter Heart

Jacqueline Sparks' installation         

My friend Ari's piece Twisted No. 1

Aaaaand for some reason it is not letting me upload any more pictures. It's getting late, and I must get to bed. So I will put some more up this week if I have time. I also have a few new recipes and some news to announce, so stay tuned. Have a good week and good night!

I heart OVAC

Well Thursday and Friday afternoons used to be my free time, but as of lately that has not been the case. Instead I've been spending my time at such a wonderful organization, and I wouldn't have it any other way! I love that I am now a part of OVAC! Last weekend's show 12x12 couldn't have gone any better. I got to know the other interns, met so so so many art involved people and ran into old friends with great connections (that I will save for another post), and best of all we sold so much art for a great cause. 

I honestly don't think this event would be as
successful without the presence of alcohol! :)

Me and the other interns, Krystle
and Frances

I feel so incredibly lucky that I have this opportunity. They do so many great things for the art community in Oklahoma! This weekend I have another show to work at and attend in Tulsa. Kev is going with me to volunteer, so that will be fun to have him there. I also have a couple friends with work in the show, so that should be cool to see them. Come out if you're in the Tulsa area! It's going to be an awesome show! Click HERE to see a preview of the work.

1st intern show & a couple of fall recipes

Well the hubby is in class tonight and I got off early. So I thought I could tell you all about what I have been up to the past few weeks. I have had zero free time lately to blog or do much of anything really. When I do have time I like to catch up on sleep or do something fun with Kev. Last weekend he rode his new longboard and I rode my bike around. It was fun! Notice the design in the grip tape on the board by yours truly. :)

Custom cut grip tape :)

lovin it!

Wish I could ride everyday!

I think my posts will become less and less frequent until I'm done with the internship. Despite keeping me busy, it has been awesome lately! This week has been the best so far. Instead of sitting at a computer or organizing things in the office I actually got to help set up for a show! The 12X12 Fundraiser exhibition is tomorrow at 50 Penn Place. It is OVAC's main source of fundraising for the year. I got to paint pedestals and columns, hang signs and name plates and best of all I got to see all the art, where everything is, and how it all works. I also got to meet some pretty amazing artists, volunteers and other people involved with OVAC. Tomorrow I get into the show for free and I get to help with other volunteers and interns. I'm so glad I've had the opportunity to help out there. OVAC really is such an amazing resource for Okie artists. Oh and look at this! Click this LINK and scroll all the way down to the bottom...it's me!

Well I thought fall was coming, but yesterday it was 95! You know I'm not complaining about warm weather, but I'm actually kind of getting into the fall spirit. Mainly because I love Halloween so much and pumpkin things. But anyway, here are two fall recipes both from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food. I changed a few things, but if you want to look at the original recipes click HERE.


Savory Stuffed Acorn Squash
Ingredients
1 acorn squash (seeded and quartered)
S&P
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
1 minced garlic clove
1 bunch roughly chopped spinach
2 T. tomato paste
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup grated parmesan


Directions

Preheat oven to 425. Season squash with S&P and drizzle with half the oil. Bake skin side down 30-45 min. Meanwhile saute onions and garlic in remaining oil. Add spinach and wilt. Add tomato paste and stir until combined. Remove from heat and let cool while squash continues to cook. After squash is soft remover from oven and set to broil. Fill squash with mixture and top with breadcrumbs and cheese. Broil until tops are brown. Be careful removing from oven! The breadcrumbs were kind of popping and one got my hand...ouch! But it was worth it. These are so good!


Chicken Gumbo
Ingredients
1 cup cooked brown rice
2 chicken breasts
S&P
2 cups water
2 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 T. vegetable oil
3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 minced garlic clove
3 T. flour
1 cup frozen sliced okra (thawed)
1 t. cajun seasoning
1/4 t. hot sauce (I used Sriracha)
1/3 cup chopped basil


Directions

Saute chicken for 5 minutes with S&P on medium/high heat. Add broth and water and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer 20 minutes. Remove chicken and shred. Reserve liquid. In a large soup pot Saute bell pepper, onion, celery and garlic in oil until almost soft. Whisk in flour and cook for about 3 minutes to make sort of a roux. Add cooking liquid whisking as you pour. Then add chicken, okra, cajun seasoning and hot sauce. Cook about 5 minutes more. Serve over rice and top with basil.

where does the time go?

Short little post just to let you know I'm still here. I hope I can make some time this weekend for a recipe post and update on my internship, but I've just been sooooo busy! I have a few new pieces I made for Momentum Tulsa, and I totally forgot to post a pic of Tinkerbell in the mural. So here they are...

Tink!

Oneness is Love

Emma Kate

more on the mural and back to school

I've been hard at work on the mural with a little help from my very pregnant friend. Here are a couple of pics. Bad lighting...but on the finished piece I promise to have good pics.

just needs details and a few birds on top

The tall flower is going to be a
growth chart!

In other news...today is Kevin's first day of graduate school at OU. He has spent the last 2 1/2 weeks reading and working on an assignment due the first day. He left for class exhausted. He'll be there late tonight and then has to go back early tomorrow morning to stay all day. Yuck! But I am so so proud of him! I know he will do great.

first day of school :)