Very Limited Run of Prints for TMNT series!

Hey everybody! Although I'm not done with my TMNT series yet I am taking orders on prints for the ones I've finished.

Theres only gonna be 25 18x24 inch museum grade canson signed and numbered prints available of each character @$35 each plus shipping. Please include your shipping address so I can figure cost

So if you're interested in picking one up please contact me here -


TMNTPortraits@gmail.com


Also have to mention that this is Pre-Order right now as I'm waiting on the current shipment to arrive. But after all 25 slots/per character fill up I can't do anymore because unfortunately they're not my characters :(. I've informed everyone who ordered of this before accepting payment in case that caused a problem. 


April & Shredder are SOLD OUT

I'll be including sketches of the characters for the first 10 sold from each set :).

Here are the prints currently available -
              

Beadwork as Meditation

by Jennifer VanBenschoten

Ask anyone who knows me well, and they'll tell you that I'm scattered.  All you have to do is take a look at the current state of my beading table to see for yourself:

But somehow, out of all that chaos, I can take a pile of beads with a needle and some thread and create something of beauty, even if the finished product itself seems to be a bit chaotic:

When I first started beadweaving, I was amazed that those tiny little beads and long lengths of thread had the power to relax me the way that they did.  When I was beading, I found that I was totally focused on what I was doing, and any other worries or problems that I had seemed to just melt away while I immersed myself in the rhythm of the thread path.

Even now, over fifteen years since I first picked up bead and needle and thread, I still think it's wonder that beads have the power to relax and focus me.  In a world where things seem to be zipping past at lightning speed, it's so important to find something that you love that makes you slow down and really pay attention.

There's something very Zen-like about the repetition of the needle moving through the beads as I work.  And there's the transformative aspect of the work as well: I start out with a pile of beads and some thread, and I end up with a piece that is definitely more than the sum of it's parts.

Is there a particular aspect of handmade work that appeals to you? 

Urban Decay Sale at Hautelook!

The Sale is on! Urban Decay Sale at Hautelook!

There's not a ton of selection- but it's on SALE!!! lol There are some eyeshadows, pocket rocket glosses, a few body powders, nail polish set, and a few other things.

Check out the Urban Decay sale at Hautelook!

Dennis McNett's 20-Foot Wolfbat at escapist

Tomorrow, April Fools Day, check out Dennis McNett's
huge 20-foot Wolfbat in Kansas.
For more info go HERE.

Chima talks about the new Real DVD

Espn has an interview with Chima Ferguson
about the new Real DVD, Since Day One,
premiering tonight in SF:

Adventures in Bad Shit

This week's Adventures with Chris goes
back stage with Tony Trujillo and his band, Bad Shit:

Alex Perelson says absolutely nothing about the Real DVD

In a nod to this Ian Mackaye interview...


Real Skateboards gives us Alex Perelson's take on
everything and nothing:

Alex Olson CPH Pro Trailer

Alex Olson opens up wide for a lady with a feather duster
for the CPH Pro Contest:

Alex Olson - CPH PRO trailer # 2 from simon weyhe on Vimeo.

Nice Guy Johnny Whitaker

Not all child stars turn out to be fodder for tabloid tv shows.  Some grow up into nice people with their feet firmly planted on the ground.
Johnny Whitaker is one of my favorite former child stars.  Whitaker first starred as Jody on tv's Family Affair and followed that with a role as Johnny on Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.  Whitaker also appeared in some movies and other episodic tv. He pretty much stopped acting in early adulthood and did some missionary work.
I have met Whitaker a few times and he is really simply genuinely nice.  He talks fondly about this time in th limelight, but he shows no signs of regret.  He seems happy and it comes off so refreshing.  I always come away from meeting him feeling good.  It's a nice mix of nostalgia nd contentment.

Johnny Whitaker and me in Rosemont, IL-Mid 1990's.

My Outfit!

Good Morning!


I've received a few requests for more outfits posts and I agree that they're more fun than regular posts! Today's featured outfit is one I wore this past weekend in South Beach. I can't wait for summer weather here... it was so nice walking outside at night in a tank top and skirt!

I'm Wearing:
Top - Forever21
Skirt - BCBG
Shoes - Zara
Purse - Mogul
Cuff - Forever21
Bracelet - Tiffany
Snake ring - Charlotte Russe
Flower ring - Swarovski
Nail polish - Both Essie! Forget the names...


What do you think? 


By the way, it's the LAST day to enter my Juxtapose spring GIVEAWAY!

KIU,

Twentysomething

April O'Neil TMNT fan art!

Hey everybody! Just finished my April O'Neil on Livestream a minute ago :). Wanted to post it up... I'll probably have the process on here tomorrow.

                      
                            
                        
















                            
                                  
                                
                    
                                    
                                                                        
                                                                                  
TMNT-

Gilbert Crockett on ESPN

It's Gilbert Crockett Day at Vans!
Check out this interview he did for ESPN:

Gilbert Crockett's TSM New Jack Interview

Check out Gilberto's Interview in the new SKATEBOARD MAG:

Gilbert Crockett's Skateboard Mag Interview Continued

Dollin & Rowley on The Skateboard MAg

The Skateboard Mag posted a Fresh Crops
by Floris Gierman with photo of Dusty & Geoff.
Check it out HERE.

The Coke Bear Bites Back

Last week while in Las Vegas, I visited the Coca-Cola store.  I was greeted by the Coca-Cola bear.  I don't think he has a name (like Coca-Cola the Bear or Coke Bear).  To be totally accurate, he is a polar bear and he was introduced in 1993.
I immediately jumped at the chance to take a picture with the bear.  Maybe he was hungry or maybe he was mad at me for drinking so much Coke (actually, shouldn't he be happy that I drink Coke?), but he tried to bite my head off.  Seriously!  Look at the picture below.  I have proof and I might look to sue Coca-Cola.  Of course, I would be willing to settle out of court for a case or two of my favorite beverage!

The Coke Bear and me in Las Vegas, NV-March 2011.

SHAKER FAST FOOD - 3

Some might call this “paint by number” and they would probably be right! But I am enjoying the challenge to get the colors similar to what is in the photo. This is not photorealistic (like Jacqueline Gnott or Laurin McCracken)  but as close as I’m able to get! I thoroughly enjoy these detailed paintings. Maybe because I can paint a small area and while it’s drying I can start dinner or switch the laundry and by the time I’m back the painting has dried enough for me to continue working.

Another layer of paint over the words.

More work on the cans.  I decided to do the labels first since they are so detailed, and then I’ll do the cans all together and then I’ll mix up some black for the lettering and labels.

I have never done a painting this detailed before. I even had to buy a “0” round brush for all those little spaces and letters!
I enjoy seeing this painting come to life!

Trendy Wednesday!

Alright... I know I missed Monday again, so today is Trendy Wednesday!


Today's trend is ruffles! I used to not be a huge ruffles fan but lately I'm falling more in love with this trend as I see it gracing many spring trends.


A few of my favorites include:

Charlotte Russe $22.50

Forever21 $22.80

Aldo $50 (Sorry for the blurry image!)

BB Dakota $70

Inca $430

Old Navy $16.50

See by Chloe $570 (Again, sorry... couldn't find a clearer image!)

ASOS $16.55

What do you think of the ruffle trend? How do you wear your ruffles?


Don't forget to enter my spring GIVEAWAY! It'll add something great to your spring wardrobe!


KIU,

Twentysomething

Photo credits:
forever21.com
aldoshoes.com
neimanmarcus.com
asos.com
oldnavy.com
charlotterusse.com
shopbop.com

Inside the Beadworks

by D'Arsie Manzella

Usually when I invite someone into my studio my heart rate goes up and I start chattering on like a wild raving metal enthusiast explaining the workings of my machinery, the mold making process and even the composition of my metal alloy.

This will happen no matter the guest's vocation or interest. I just can't contain myself. I will inevitably treat their visit as a college course they are not sure they signed up for. My friend will nod, smile and even exclaim "Oh!" or "Wow!" no doubt thinking that they have stumbled into the wrong classroom. The one with the crazy little animated professor.

But my blog reading friends, I will spare you the lecture, I will remain calm and try not to hop around with excitement while giving you a small peek into my beadworks.

This is my workstation.
You see my molds stacked to the right,
my sweet sisters on the left
and the pile of work before me right now!
The Count helps me keep track of inventory.

Working here on a large order for Chautauqua Institution.
These are Bell Towers and Hall of Philosophy Pendants.
I grew up in this place and am so
honored to be able to do this project.

Inventory awaiting the grinding and the tumbling.


And me, myself in my super hot safety goggles.
Hey, safety is sexy.

I hope you're having a wonderful and
productive day in your own sacred studio space!