CROWTOPIA- January 2013

The story of Crowtopia is another world, a very beautiful place, a place that invited me in nearly 10 years ago. I have sketched dozens of characters, that I have gotten to know, during the past 3 years. Leaving my head, they flow eagerly out of my pen, exposing themselves to share a message with all who care to hear. Turning them to a physical form for the first time, they expose their identity, on paper. Some of them have very close similarities to people that I have met during my life, some of them I do not recognize....yet.

A time has come for me to give some of them a body with moving parts, to give some of them each a chance to share a particular story with you....

 ~This story begins, with a dark force that has invaded their world. A force that is a shape shifter, it will be a man, it will be a women, it will be a child- a trick, it knows what it has to be to gain your loyalty. It is nothing more than a beast. A Wolf- that feeds, using a persuasive corruption to satisfy its appetite.  A guardian has been summons, by The 12 Majestic Rulers of Crowtopia, to defeat the dark force and its gaining army. A Raven- given the name Bertrand, Whom is a noble spirit with wings, wise, strong, powerful. The Commanding General of the Crowtopia Army......Stay close as I am excited to share with you the process of the -Collaborative Production of Crowtopia- that will make it's first appearance at the -Master of the Arts presentation January 2013 at the Sherman Kendell Academy. XXOX

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Helping Hand

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light." Albert Schweitzer

Sliding Doors

If You Could Change Your Fate..... Would You??

Diamonds

If you loved me, you would be here with me. If you want me, come find me. ~I've made up your mind.

American Beauty

Rise&Shine Ladies... A happy place for me, is tending my Roses. I personally don't require much sun, however- being side-by-side with them through Spring and Summer is a bit of heaven to me. Putting my hands in the Earth is very meditative and I feel instant gratification when I step back and look at my Choir of Beauties. The more love I give them, with each season that comes and goes, the more fragarant and plump they become.

~A Rose is, probably, the only flower that has a universal appeal. They say, Roses are a great way to express emotion. Based on the color of the rose, a certain emotion becomes clear. They mention, Red stand for lOVE, Yellow for Friendship and White for Peace. ~Velvety Blood Red, speaks all 3 to me XXOX

Cut Here

"So we meet again!" and I offer my hand, All dry and English slow. And you look at me and I understand, Yeah it's a look I used to know. "Three long years and your favorite man Is that any way to say hello?" And you hold me like you'll never let me go

"Oh c'mon and have a drink with me Sit down and talk a while..." "Oh I wish I could and I will! But now I just don't have the time" And over my shoulder as I walk away, I see you give that look goodbye,I still see that look in your eye. So dizzy, Mr Busy, too much rush to talk to Billy. All the silly frilly things have to first get done. In a minute sometime soon, maybe next time, make it June, Until later, doesn't always come. It's so hard to think: "It ends sometime. And this could be the last. I should really hear you sing again, and I should really watch you dance" Because it's hard to think "I'll never get another chance To hold you to hold you" But chilly, Mr Dilly, too much rush to talk to Billy. All the tizzy fizzy idiot things must get done. In a second, just hang on, all in good time, won't be long, Until later.. I should've stopped to think, I should've made the time, I could've had that drink, I could've talked a while, I would've done it right, I would've moved us on. But I didn't, now it's all too late. It's over, over And you're gone. I miss you, I miss you, I miss you, I miss you so much. But how many times can I walk away and wish "If only." But how many times can I talk this way and wish "If only." Keep on making the same mistake. Keep on aching the same heartbreak, I wish "If only" But "If only"... Is a wish too late.. (CutHere:TheCure)

Count Your Blessings

Make a list of 10 Blessings. Write why you're grateful. Reread your list, and at the end of each blessing say thank you, thank you, thank you, and feel as grateful for that blessing as you can.

I have more than ten & I am very grateful each day. Here are a few of mine that I would like to share.... 1. My Life- ceases to amaze me, in what I am given everyday. ThankYouThankYouThankYou 2. My lOVEpies- whom remind me everyday how to be selfless. ThankYouThankYouThankYou 3. My Health- I vow to let nothing drown me,grateful that I have no complications. ThankYouThankYouThankYou 4. My Hands- if anything were to happen to them, my life would be drastically different. ThankYouThankYouThankYou 5. My Dad- never leaves my side, white knuckles all business ideas with me,the most amazing light to all whom befriend him. ThankYouThankYouThankYou 6. Dani,Rachael&Renee- a few times I would have jumped off the library roof. MySanity&MyRock.ThankYouThankYouThankYou 7. Andrew Valtal&Michelle Church- My brother&sister, My business partners, always true, genuine, humble and real. ThankYouThankYouThankYou (Fur Girl by; Mark Ryden)

2012 NAHA/ Composure

September 2011 was a huge time for me. I had more things in my head than I knew what to do with and I was at the peak of one of my crazy sleep cycles. With that said;when I DID sleep, I would often dream about my dead dog, Magi and 3 Bronze Statues, that would seem to appear in my random 'dream places' -QuietSimpleStrong. Ironically, I was mentally reminding myself to keep these 3 words in my everyday life. As I needed more strength than I had, as I was causing ALOT of good changes for myself. ~Looking at my life, whom I was surrounded by and bottom line- Was I Content???

The moment I spoke of them, they turned into -STONE- I first approached my friend Chris R. Hanson, with my concept to bring these 3 'Sculptures' if you will to life. As, Chris has this amazing talent of being able to transform the esthetics of the skin into different textures- all with an airbrush- the man is genius! We did a few tests on me, just to get an idea of patterns, color, etc. After our 2nd test- we were ready to shoot our first model with photographer Ethan Killian. My Muse and proof that heaven does live on Earth. Mrs. Katy Hunt-Thompson, was the beginning.~After staring at her images, I felt nourished, yet I was still wanting more, I kept working hard and studying, paying attention to details as I worked behind-the-chair as to use rise to the challenge. By December 2011 we had finished our next model, Rachael L. Domingo- one of the most precious people to me,on this planet. ~Of coarse, the second we talked about the concept she instantly said 'Yes'. By the end of January, we had completed the series with: Julia Sanders, they are not kidding when they say 'dynamite comes in small packages' Julia is just that and a butterfly at the sametime. When all the images were in place, Chris, Ethan and I all met up at A Secret Location (where all my plannings are done)- narrowed down our favorites (which seemed impossible) then off to Todd Keith for editing they went. The whole process of this: the people, the time spent, the lighting, even the music that was in the air, Was AMAZING! Everytime I look at this, it brings all of that back to me- and I feel, just that- Content. Before, I close this post- I want to personally Thank EVERYBODY that came together for this. And especially my dearest, Danielle Zaugg- who has always had my back, the first to show and the last to go- you were the only friend that I had, at one point, and I love you very much.~I think we all grew creatively in our own ways, but we all established a priceless friendship, that made it perfect. I hope you like. Thank You!!!