blog's: May 2008

"Baby" Illustration Friday

I created this piece for Illustration Friday in my Moleskine. "Baby" is the theme this week. I wrote about Mom's wanting their baby's to look just like them!

I am almost half way through my Moleskine. My goal is to finish this one. I tend to start an artist journal and never finish it all the way. I get bored my style changes, or whatever.

May 30th Is Here!

Today is finally the day to "get carried away." I just did and what a ride it was! A very emotional rollercoaster I must say! No spoilers for those out there who haven't seen it yet, but oh so exciting and oh so fabulous! Right now I'm thinking my weekend might include seeing it over and over again. And no, I'm really not kidding!

Photo Credit: Google

- Erin Dustin

Did Gisele Bundchen Say Yes to Plastic Surgery?

Since posting Gisele Bundchen's comments that she will "no way" have plastic surgery, I've received a lot of emails from readers who believe she has said "yes" to plastic surgery in the past. According to goodplasticsurgery.com (the sister site to Awfulplasticsurgery.com), she may have had a well-done breast augmentation and rhinoplasty. The photos are pretty convincing, so I would bet that maybe Gisele meant she would say "no way" to more plastic surgery...

Links to goodplasticsurgery.com - breast augmentation and rhinoplasty.

Photo credit: prphotos.com

Thanks for reading.

Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Moleskine

This page has lots of old papers for collage, fiber paste, a rubber stamp image, acrylic, graphite, and inktense pencils.

Question of the Day: What Gives You Instant Gratification?

I’ve been challenged to answer this curious question … Here are five fabulous thrills that make me feel gratified and confident. And then I encourage you to comment with your own answers!

1. Snagging an interview. Be it an A-list star or a C-list socialite, grabbing someone on the red carpet or inside an event for a quickie Q&A is always exciting. (Okay, it’s more gratifying when it’s someone you really admire and they give you awesome answers.) Really, it’s such a feeling of accomplishment! See me interview my four favorite gals HERE ... Shameless self promotion.)

2. Dishing the dirt. When you hear a piece of juicy gossip, it’s hard not to share. And I adore when others join the conversation. I love it when I get comments on my blog, emails in my inbox, and fan mail to my address. (Okay, fan mail only comes from my mom … but it’s still much appreciated.)

3. A cuddle with my puppy. I mean talk about instant gratification. I feed her, she thanks me with kisses. I play with her, she rewards me with love-bites. I scold her, and she still nuzzles into my neck. She's just the cutest toy poodle ever. (Her name, by the way, is Reese Witherspoon.)

What gives you instant gratification? Comment!

Quote Of The Day

"As far as people thinking I'm pretty or something, I don't know. It's amazing what a haircut and forgetting to shave will do." - David Cook on his newfound popularity.

- Erin Dustin

Dan And Serena Live On

Although Gossip Girl has sadly ended for the summer, (wiping away tears as I speak) I'm not sure if Blake Lively and Penn Badgley got the memo. Though their characters broke it off in the season finale, the real-life couple seems to still be going strong as they were spotted in NYC's West Village this past week.

- Erin Dustin

Ashlee Simpson No More (And Def. Expecting!)

Due to her recent marriage to rocker Pete Wentz, Ashlee Simpson has made a very traditional change in her life. She is now Ashlee Wentz! Professionally though, she'll go by Ashlee Simpson-Wentz. She says, "I think that that's something that a woman should do when they're marring a man. It's a tradition that I think is a great tradition."

Oh and a little fyi, just a few moments ago, I saw the confirmation that everyone has been waiting for. The Wentzes are preggers!

"While many have speculated this, we wanted to wait until after the first trimester to officially confirm that we are expecting our first child. This is truly the most joyous time in our lives and we are excited to share the happy news and start our family." - Mr. and Mrs. Pete Wentz.

- Erin Dustin

Welcome Home Girls!

Last night's HUGE event brought out NYC's favorite girls to Radio City for the highly-anticipated SATC premiere. Along with some of NYC's own, many a fan and not to mention the rain, Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha returned home to an amazing reception and an outpouring of love.

With a front-row on-the-pink-carpet view, I witnessed everything from the flash that was Ashley Olsen and Jennifer Hudson's short bob (she was even being touched up on the carpet in-between interviews!) to SJP's GORGEOUS dress (she said she thought it looked like the Empire State building, how NYC of you Carrie Bradshaw!) and Patricia Field's radiant hair and personality. Lynn Cohen, who plays Magda, was adorable and even commented on the girl power of our fabulous video slash interview team! Jason Lewis was whisked by as he walked into the venue, but did look back to smile, so don't worry Smith, I forgive you. The Donald stopped for a brief moment as did Cynthia Nixon, Willie Garson, (who just adopted a son, aw!) Donna Karan, Fergie and Idina Menzel. The mob scene that was NYC last night once again showed how excited this city is for their SATC!

After the premiere, we were able to get a sneak preview of the after-party held at the MoMA. With the Swarovski-crystal couch, the trees wrapped in pink lights, bouquets of flowers, the music (deejayed by Samantha Ronson, and no Lindsay was not there), the appetizers and a sample of the "Carried Away" cosmo, the scene was more than glamourous!

More deets to come!

- Erin Dustin

Gisele Bundchen Says No to Plastic Surgery

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen went on the record regarding her thoughts about plastic surgery:

"No way (will I have surgery). Actually, I asked my mother the very same question and she said, 'It's taken me 58 years for me to look like this. You think I'm going to ruin it now?' She looks great, so I hope I will look the same."

It's easy to say that when her mother has passed on such great genes!

Photo credit: prphotos.com
Quote from hollyscoop.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Procrastination?

Lately I think I’m just a waste of human skin!

I have so many ideas for paintings running through my brain, but none are coming out onto the paper. Could this be because I don’t just sit down and paint? Instead I’ll find something else that “must be done right away”. Obviously, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping and cooking fall under that category. But they don’t really lend themselves to anything artistic. Or could they? Hmmmm . . . and I’ve just added a few more ideas for paintings skittering around inside my otherwise empty head.

And I tend to paint slowly. Once I get my idea onto the paper, my favorite way to paint is to glaze, so that takes more time. I think I must also be getting that Adult Attention Deficit Disorder since I can’t seem to focus on any one thing for longer than a half hour.

Just to be fair to myself, I have been busy with some classes. One requires that, one day a week, I hop in the car and drive for 45 minutes, set up, teach and clean up for 3 plus hours, then another 45 minutes home. And, since there has been a bizarre wreck on the local interstate involving support pillars for the expressway having been hit by a TRAIN LOCOMOTIVE (yes, you read that correctly) which necessitates a detour, my 45 minute drive will now probably be more like an hour each way, at least. Then I have some classes at home which involve not only the time to teach, but also set up, clean up and homework.

I also was (am?) the chairperson for the Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society current spring show, so there was much time spent on that. Then I was accepted into the Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati juried show, which meant that I had to drive cross country (I live in Indiana, the venue was on the east side of Cincinnati) twice, once to drop off and once to pick up, because, Heaven forbid anyone should actually purchase the painting!

Hmmm . . . can I come up with any other excuses? I wish I could, but the aforementioned has no bearing on all of the other hours of all of the other days that I could be painting. So, what’s my excuse for that? Sadly, I have none, other than to say that I’m a terrible procrastinator.

Case in point – here I sit at the computer typing this drivel when I could be painting!

But maybe this counts for some sort of artistic endeavor – after all, I’m trying to communicate with other artists here, right? And at least I’m thinking about art, right? And I also have to think that reading my art magazines or looking through my art books or photographs seeking inspiration also has to count as artistic endeavor. Right? Come on, help me out here!!!

And it sure would be nice of you to leave a comment (good or bad) just so I know that someone out there is reading this stuff! Because that would give me even more excuses not to paint – I’d have to read all of those comments, right?

I’m going to really, really try to blog at least once a week – which gives me a really great reason to not paint, right?

In the meantime, here’s my first attempt at fluid acrylics, painted about 2 years ago, which has gotten quite a few kind comments. “The Jetskiier”, fluid acrylic on Arches.

Gorgeous Wallpapers of Nepali Models

Gorgeous Barefeet model - My fav wallpaper

Some awesome wallpapers of Models from Nepal. Great looking models with even better looking feet and legs. (The model in the above wallpaper is stunning!)