tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32541491694883651532024-03-21T19:13:48.412-07:00Michelley QueenofQueens: The ArtagonistaMichelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-90419041673516175742012-08-01T20:12:00.000-07:002012-08-01T20:16:33.026-07:00It’s My Jesus and I’ll Kill Who I Want To<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
I am reposting this article that I wrote in 2010 regarding Evangelical involvement in LGBT persecution. It seems especially pertinent now given fast food chain Chick-fil-a's choice to support Family Research Council who support the Ugandan Gay Genocide law. It sickens me that as a nation we are clearly still so unaware of what the extremists among us are truly married to.</div>
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Originally published in '09 by MotleyQueer.com<br />
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In December ’09 the nation of Uganda tabled a bill that
proposed “ prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same
sex, any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex and the promotions
or recognition of such sexual relations.”
Entitled the Anti Homosexuality Bill, the proposal seeks to codify the
prejudicial treatment of gays already rampant in Uganda, where homosexuality
has been illegal since British Colonial rule. The law, if passed, would enact its tenets via a terror
campaign against LGBTI Ugandans. This will mean prison sentences for gays and
anyone seen to assist them, extradition of gay Ugandans living abroad, forced
conversion to heterosexuality and possibly death for “repeat offenders” of
“aggravated homosexuality”.</div>
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Since that day, insurmountable evidence has surfaced that
the inspiration for Uganda’s act of inhumanity was the latest American
Imperialist export: Evangelical Zealotry. Ugandan President Museveni, recently
backslid in his support of the bill’s life imprisonment and death sentence
clauses, apparently cowed by foreign disapproval. Regardless, Museveni and
members of his parliament have seized an opportunity to expand their power to a
fourth term by crafting a “threat” to Ugandan family values in the guise of
“Western sexual decadence”. These nefarious ambitions have resulted in breeding
even more dangerous circumstances for gays in Uganda for whom brutality is a
constant fear. Since the proposal of the law, vicious anti gay protests have
been mounted. It is only a matter of time before loathing leads to bloodshed.
When it does many non-Ugandans, along with Musaveni and members of his
parliament, will bear the shame and responsibility of that blood being spilled.</div>
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Scott Lively, Exodus International Board Member, and Don
Schmierer and Caleb Lee Brundidge of the International Healing Foundation,
spoke at an anti-gay conference in Uganda last March 5-7<sup>th</sup>.
According to videos of the speech created by watchdog site “Box Turtle
Bulletin”, Lively’s oration was replete with libelous remarks against gays,
equating Nazism’s rise with homosexuality, describing AIDS as natural
retribution for having homosexual sex, and reinforcing a false stereotype
depicting gays as pederasts. On March 17<sup>th</sup>, Lively proudly likened
his speech to “delivering a nuclear bomb against gays in Uganda.” Of ten
anti-gay hate groups on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s watch list, Lively
serves as foundational member for three: Abiding Truth Ministries, Watchmen On
the Walls, and the School of Christian Activism. </div>
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The vein of American Evangelical influence runs deep in
Uganda. Ugandan Member of Parliament David Bahati, who drafted the murderous
bill, and Ugandan MP Benson Obua-Ogwa, who co-sponsored Bahati’s draft, were
both in attendance at a prayer meeting held by College of Prayer
International’s Dr. Fred Hartley in Kampala. The COP, which operates
extensively in various African nations, maintains a specific agenda of
recruitment of Governmental officials in Uganda where they see a large
potential to expand their ministry.</div>
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The opportunities for modern missionaries to exploit a
nation freshly rebuilding in the aftermath of civil war are not overlooked by
American Evangelicals with deep pockets and an even deeper hatred of
homosexuals. Lively and his cohorts recognized an easy opportunity to exploit
extant homophobia in Uganda where homosexuality is believed by many to be a
culturally destructive, colonial import. Anti-gay sentiment has reached fevered
levels among the nation’s people despite historical evidence, which indicates
that homosexuality existed in Uganda previous to any Western introduction.
American Evangelical svengalis driven by entirely selfish motives, display
arrogance in their presumption that their core beliefs are the true raison
d’etre for a potentially dictatorial government to ally itself with what they
preach.</div>
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It would be convenient and very shortsighted to assume that
like many African nations, Uganda, which in the past sacrificed much of its
identity upon the altar of Western Imperialism, has once again foundered under
the yoke of Colonialism in its decision to write an inhumane and homicidal law
against certain of its citizens. While the destructive impact of Colonialism upon
the African continent cannot be denied, it is interesting to note that Uganda’s
government is falling “prey”, in this instance, only to the agenda of radical,
religious American “imperialism” as it simultaneously chooses to virtually
ignore the criticisms levied by more humane voices against its determination to
witch-hunt and execute gays. World political and religious leaders, including
U.S. President Barack Obama who called the bill “Odious”, Canadian Prime
Minister Stephen Harper who described it as “Orwellian”, and Canon Gideon
Byamugisha, Ugandan Anglican Church Leader, who has labeled the bill as
“state-legislated genocide against a specific community of Ugandans”. Although
the bill may be revised in the face of foreign pressure to exclude its harshest
clauses, it will, if passed in any form, mean a life of terror for anyone gay
in Uganda.</div>
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While Byarmugisha and other moderate members of the clergy
within Uganda risk their safety and express their outrage, some clergy serving
an angrier god continue to curry favor with the ruling party. Pentecostal
minister and vice president of The Born Again Federation, Julius Oyet, who had
tremendous potency in bringing the bill forward, remains highly influential.
Oyet’s prayers against Northern Uganda have made him a favorite of the
President, and he also maintains stewardship over 9 million Christians in 10,00
churches. Not coincidentally, Northern Uganda is where the rebel Lord’s
Resistance Army used to reside, and the Lord’s Resistance Army were the enemies
of President Musaveni.</div>
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The President’s convenient adherence to a militant stripe of
Christian belief more suited to his political designs cannot be ignored. Nor
can his ignorance of African cultural history. Dr. Sylvia Tamale, Dean of Law
at Kampala’s Makerere University and Human Rights activist is authoring a book
on African sexual orientations. She has publicly asserted "Homosexuality
or same-sex attractions have been part and parcel of African communities for
time immemorial. But the terms 'homosexuality,' 'lesbian,' 'gay' — those are
relatively new. And those are terms many Africans attracted to people of the
same sex never use or never identify with." In a speech given before
parliament during the public dialogues on the bill, Dr. Tamale cited several
very real crises requiring immediate attention in Uganda (none of which were a
result of homosexuality). These crises include: child rape by known
heterosexual predators, Parents forcing 14 year old daughters to marry in
exchange for gifts, millions of AIDS orphaned children needing homes, and
rising poverty forcing 60% of rural Ugandans below the poverty line. After noting these and other very real
problems facing her nation, Dr. Tamale then went on to state that </div>
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I do not see how two people who are
in a loving relationship and harming no one pose </div>
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a threat to the
family simply because they happen to be of the same sex. The argument </div>
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that homosexuality is
a threat to the continuity of humankind and that it will lead to the </div>
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extinction of human
beings in the world simply does not hold water because there are </div>
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too many
heterosexuals in the world for that to become a reality. How many of you
in </div>
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this room would
“convert” to homosexuality any time soon?... So, just as the priests, </div>
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nuns and monks who
are sworn to a life of celibacy will not cause the extinction of </div>
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humanity, homosexuals
will not either.</div>
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Whatever hidden and hideous machinations are unfolding in
the shadows of Uganda’s political landscape, back on our own shores we have
some serious thinking to do. The vile disregard for human life we’re watching
become codified in Uganda has happened at the behest of U.S. citizens, and this
fact begs the question – when? When will the radical members of the religious right
be held accountable for the hatred, mayhem, and murder they incite?</div>
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Were I to aim a pistol in the face of a cashier and demand
all the cash in the till in “Jesus’ Name”, I would more than likely be
arrested, tried, and found either criminally culpable or mentally incompetent.
When tyrannical cowards hide behind the mantle of political ideology in order
to justify cruelty, exploitation, and genocide, they are tried for crimes
against humanity. If representatives from U.S. Christian churches travel to far
off lands and help convince people that a minority group is a plague upon
humanity worthy of nothing more than slaughter, then we give them tax-free
status for their churches and air-time to promote their ideology. Sometimes
hiding behind belief systems is not an option, in which case those who endorse
murder suffer a different fate. Charles Manson was not guilty of a single
murder by his own hand, and yet he serves life behind bars because he persuaded
others to commit unspeakable acts. Cult Leaders Jim Jones and David Koresh are
recognized as mass murderers solely for their ability to manipulate those
around them into suicidal contagion. The tragic lesson of these events is that
we mutely watched them unfold to gruesome conclusions, in the name of religious
freedom. </div>
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Religious organizations and, by proxy, their leaders must be
held to the same standard of lawful conduct as anyone else. The right to
religious freedom cannot be employed as a shield deflecting the consequences of
one’s actions against other sentient beings. If we allow, by merit of
“spiritual belief”, the special privilege to hate, discriminate, and
exterminate those who do not conform to proscribed notions of piety, then we
are no longer just walking on eggshells to satisfy religious freedom, we are
walking on the bone fragments of those we’ve let be murdered via our implicit
consent. The proponents of Evangelical fervor who went to Uganda in March of
’09 to foment anti-homosexual rhetoric must not be allowed to live in comfort
stateside while hundreds of innocent victims abroad suffer vilifying cruelty
and quite possibly death. Their vehemence in proclaiming the “good word” of
their God has become a rallying cry for death to those they don’t favor. When
ideology is employed to eliminate a group of people, it is a crime against
humanity and should be punishable as such. To silently abide such horrific
inhumanity would be an unforgivable transgression, especially when the bloody
footprints lead directly back to our own most hallowed ground.</div>
<br />Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-57521627006248800572011-05-21T18:32:00.000-07:002011-05-21T18:32:52.337-07:00Post Rapture Prize Giveaway!<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">TIME FOR A GIVEAWAY! Since we've (mostly) survived the end of the world, I'm honoring the (non) event by having a referral contest! Whoever gets the most folks to like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/QueenofQueensArt">my FB page</a> will win a signed, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/queenofqueens?section_id=7350903">limited edition art print</a> OF THEIR CHOICE from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/queenofqueens">my etsy shop</a>! To win: Leave a post on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/QueenofQueensArt">Facebook Fan page</a> and have your referrals comment underneath your post <u>after </u>they "like" the page.</span></span></h6><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiffU-MoBARWD_frclD1HkTo65V1CPKMO3IMx_rlf8LjtNf6G5tMACudsdLS8X30Ir3HeT4O11cUZ-UmGXitcDLXkXMcE2bEWLd3tkKeqDWfz701hsOciWlH-SLVIkxylepiQKe4XlRiI/s1600/HystericalBitch4CafePress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiffU-MoBARWD_frclD1HkTo65V1CPKMO3IMx_rlf8LjtNf6G5tMACudsdLS8X30Ir3HeT4O11cUZ-UmGXitcDLXkXMcE2bEWLd3tkKeqDWfz701hsOciWlH-SLVIkxylepiQKe4XlRiI/s320/HystericalBitch4CafePress.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choose a print of "Hysterical Bitch"!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEvz3dDpx2up2UgOWw8CGBE_zPIcqDhotH7XMum1Q022USAmhSCb7xHNifScUhyuPapzlRrFqb7LLPSHxUr9B3-pR1luePOsRNkK_9WwSLlp73i-02gVrcHuwngWTv-2MOQkHCa7myto/s1600/SpecialDifferentWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEvz3dDpx2up2UgOWw8CGBE_zPIcqDhotH7XMum1Q022USAmhSCb7xHNifScUhyuPapzlRrFqb7LLPSHxUr9B3-pR1luePOsRNkK_9WwSLlp73i-02gVrcHuwngWTv-2MOQkHCa7myto/s320/SpecialDifferentWeb.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or choose from many others including, "What Makes Us Different Makes Us Special"!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody"> </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">The peep w/ the most referrals wins! Good luck!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-jsid="text"> </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-jsid="text">You have til' next Saturday at 6pm EST to achieve your mission!</span></span></h6>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-74195076059417936542011-05-17T18:20:00.000-07:002011-05-17T18:20:40.962-07:00Popping my California Craft Cherry at Patchwork<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This past Sunday I participated in the Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festival here in Long Beach. It's been quite a while and 3000 miles since I sold at an outdoor event and I'd been busting my hump preparing for this event for weeks. As is my wont, I'd built this show up into some sort of symbol, a benchmark of my artistic prowess. A hump I needed to mount and vault in order to prove to myself my inherent worth as a "maker" (a hipster term for artist/artisan which I despise).</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'd painstakingly created labels, tags a banner bearing my name and lots of new artwork to dazzle the crowd. My wish, though resources were slim, was to dazzle the looky-loos with my odd array of thematically odd artwork. I craved a sell-out show and feared phenomenal failure. The day of the event my kite-like anxiety was brought crashing down to earth on site of the parking lot and all the other peddlers unfolding their packs on wet pavement. We all were in the same boat, or more correctly parking lot puddle. As I was setting up my tent and looking at all my carefully concocted displays as though I were from Mars, I began to adjust my aspirations to a less lofty level. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5WMl9TghGguvzZBl4E3ln4zTobu9LiMKjZbCNgF5T7EfwrXpTxJkxydj3ip0s-8hSKTQjg6N6BM3XHG2Xhb5_F9i0gZ9dkMbWMZ7w7ptwlf2k48x_nLasatJlHUMxRZZIBDIySlA4Bs/s1600/PatchworkBooth3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5WMl9TghGguvzZBl4E3ln4zTobu9LiMKjZbCNgF5T7EfwrXpTxJkxydj3ip0s-8hSKTQjg6N6BM3XHG2Xhb5_F9i0gZ9dkMbWMZ7w7ptwlf2k48x_nLasatJlHUMxRZZIBDIySlA4Bs/s320/PatchworkBooth3.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">With tent erected (heh) and artwork secured, I surveyed my set-up. I was very pleased with the solutions I'd come up with to show art on the go. I was especially glad that I'd brought cinder blocks to weigh down my tent. The morning was damp and as the day wore on it became breezy - neigh, blustery, blowing unsecured umbrellas precariously close to my display. Also flying high on the breeze were many of my own art prints which eventually secured residence under my table to prevent further travels. Through it all the glory that is the Zip Tie kept my glass framed watercolors from moving so much as an inch!</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The event took place two weeks after Mother's Day, which we all know is preceded by more frantic gift and card getting than even the big "C" in December. Consequently, people were keeping a pretty tight grip on their purse strings. Although sales were slow, I was pleased to meet new admirers and sample a savory bacon wrapped hot dog from an Argentinian food truck on site. Additionally my Lucifist wall trophy found a home as a father's day gift for some lucky father with apparently eclectic taste. </div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Altogether the day was successful and I'm now ready to attack the Long Beach and L.A. art walks with my passel of art. Hopefully the art walks are ready for me... </div><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=micheltheart-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000RB2DRK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-72448006557070097862011-04-24T18:29:00.000-07:002011-04-24T18:51:01.947-07:00Cute Shoe Sunday: Easter Edition<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We all know Easter mainly offers fodder for the feather fascinator set, but let's face it no matter how belle your chapeau, if your shoes aren't the shit you may as well forgo the parade and forage for day old eggs. Today's special Easter edition of Cute Shoe Sunday suggests that you bomb the bonnet and go straight for the booty...er booties.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'm truly bananas for these Spring masterpieces crafted by shoe maestra <a href="http://www.chiemihara.com/about_chie-LangEng.html">Chie Mihara. </a></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Navy blue with red polka dots has always screamed "I'm a slut, but I'm discerning!", don't you agree?</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chiemihara.com/colecciones.html">Omei by Chie Mihara</a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Since Holidays exist to rationalize overindulgence here's another pair of Chie's shoes to make your drool (be sure to dab the Easter chocolate away lest it drip on your shirt). Wear these to the office and remain firmly rooted in rock n roll defiance as you kowtow to your douchebag boss.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJRzYVKtMQYrMumfBCm-rKtyQG0Qaw4T7RMyqG3ZbZ0VShQ94eFo4yrxmsLiNlUbfWDy13sF_2vbgWE88THNzq6AMJjGY4xGEEtY5gwbbCuTe0bE8x4wuBfmzPYlU3aiJP-Mor-uHVWc/s1600/miniz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJRzYVKtMQYrMumfBCm-rKtyQG0Qaw4T7RMyqG3ZbZ0VShQ94eFo4yrxmsLiNlUbfWDy13sF_2vbgWE88THNzq6AMJjGY4xGEEtY5gwbbCuTe0bE8x4wuBfmzPYlU3aiJP-Mor-uHVWc/s320/miniz.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chiemihara.com/colecciones.html">April by Chie Mihara</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And finally, a pair for when you're feeling proper and primrose rather than necessarily prim. All my fellow Miss Fairfaxes will understand the impulse to which I refer. I only wish these came with matching kid gloves.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDW-RFa8RRa8k-54aZ3kiRbVPeBHwILMe0qlPbgGM5xs7BoMYJVq6Pi2Dqz1AlwE1YSEqpZeglIHc9TMDl5KpTs692HmS2SC1D2mQsqH380GOtQjLUUkvGPeqhjpDcZMdj8Sue0f-mV6c/s1600/miniz-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDW-RFa8RRa8k-54aZ3kiRbVPeBHwILMe0qlPbgGM5xs7BoMYJVq6Pi2Dqz1AlwE1YSEqpZeglIHc9TMDl5KpTs692HmS2SC1D2mQsqH380GOtQjLUUkvGPeqhjpDcZMdj8Sue0f-mV6c/s320/miniz-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chiemihara.com/colecciones.html">Osmo by Chie Mihara</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And so, my hoppy hoofers, I leave you to your dreams of traipsing gaily through fields of Easter grass whilst wearing the fine fancies I've shared with you. As always, until next time, I bid you a-shoe.<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=micheltheart-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B004GXAUGQ&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-57764034696558493772011-04-17T16:16:00.000-07:002011-04-17T16:17:11.705-07:00Cute Shoe Sunday<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Sometimes the only respite from the bullshit of reality is to immerse oneself fully in real bullshit. I say when life hands you shit, make yourself some shineola! For me, one of the fastest ways out of the dump is gazing at the beauty of fine footwear. The more impractical and expensive the better. Keeping these tenets in mind I bring you the Artagonista's first installment of Cute Shoe Sunday. A day of rest. A day to keep your legs in the air like you just don't care - preferably with precarious heels perched upon your feet as you cast a reverent gaze skyward.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I want these. Badly. I don't care that they're a poor man's version of Alexander McQueen's brilliant Lobster Claw booties. These must be had and worn all Summer with all manner of cute frocks. Best yet, they come in several different colors, including purple, raspberry and the delightfully woodsy kelley green depicted below. You may be hard pressed to find them in some of the more festive colors, which is a sad but not unexpected outcome when battling for shoe-whore supremacy.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMZvxLE4PMr_TPr9X602TPRvp5ddgw7wnw4eozzXYLLcgF3NpYJowx7gwEDSUqCPFgiBTH9jUu2J_9FvhKMIQcrOK3kMRc2DplvoWJzDZEYI3EX33j1I2BIoUtVKlAvEuZaCVJ3uy2Zs/s1600/41G0SzFcCTL._SX395_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMZvxLE4PMr_TPr9X602TPRvp5ddgw7wnw4eozzXYLLcgF3NpYJowx7gwEDSUqCPFgiBTH9jUu2J_9FvhKMIQcrOK3kMRc2DplvoWJzDZEYI3EX33j1I2BIoUtVKlAvEuZaCVJ3uy2Zs/s320/41G0SzFcCTL._SX395_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gee-WaWa-Womens-Flora-Borello/dp/B00471QN36/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&qid=1303078753&sr=8-27">Gee WaWa's Flora Wedge Sandal in Kelley Torino</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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</div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This week has been treacherous and exhausting so you'll have to be satisfied with the above offering until next Sunday when I bring you more of the best fancies for your feet. Until then, I bid you a-shoe. </span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=micheltheart-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00471QN36&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-19584094903285873702011-04-10T17:09:00.000-07:002011-04-14T00:44:00.787-07:00How to Feed and Care For Your New Art<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">So, the blessed day has arrived: You and your family have made the decision to bring home a bouncing bundle of art. But now that you've brought it home, how in the hell do make sure it doesn't crumble to dust? Well, I'm here to ease your fears, dear art fiends. Only artifacts interred in tombs for thousands of years need to live out their crusty old lives in hyperbaric chambers. In my world, trust me, those chambers are typically <i>hyperbolic</i>, not hyperbaric. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Maintaining an art collection does not have to be intimidating or terrifying in any way. If you hesitate when considering starting an art collection because you're uncertain how to frame or care for your purchase, I challenge you to forge ahead! Spray your walls with 2-d treasures and pepper your pedestals with scintillating sculpture. Here are some helpful hints for when you haul your loot home:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Frame canvases without glass in canvas friendly frames, also (somewhat unfortunately) called "floaters". These can either be custom made or purchased ready to rumble from chain shops such as Aaron Brothers, Michael's or online. If you've got a mom and pop frame shop in your town, even better! Simply slip the canvas into the frame from the back and secure with canvas clips. I promise you need no knowledge of power tools or hardware to achieve this and you'll save scads of dough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=micheltheart-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000BQL2HS&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Works on paper should be first matted and then framed under glass. If the work is a standard size, 5"x7", 9"x12", 8"x10", pre-cut mats can be purchased at most art supply stores. Center the artwork in the mat with the largest border at the bottom of the artwork. Tack the work to the mat with mounting tape (also available at most art and craft stores) and place in a frame of your choosing. The rule of thumb is a more ornate frame for a simple subject and a simple frame for a more complex subject. Try to choose a mat in a neutral tone that doesn't distract you from the artwork. I like to bring paintings with me when I shop for mats and frames so I'm certain of the outcome. Besides, I'm lavished with attention when I tote my work around and it makes me giddy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Hang artwork out of direct sunlight to protect from fading or bursting into flames (kidding). Sculpture, depending upon the medium can take a tad more sunshine, but generally speaking art prefers a protected environment. For works on paper you can purchase custom frames with UV protective glass, though these types of upgrades can be a bit pricey. It's also best to keep original paintings away from moisture. If you are compelled to keep masterpieces in the "reading room" try to choose sturdy works which are moisture resistant. Mosaics or other outdoor friendly work are a good choice. Though a <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=micheltheart-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000GRKW82&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>collection of concrete gnomes perched near the can may wreck your collector cred.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Acrylic and oil paintings can be dusted with a soft, dust attracting cloth as can most sculptures. Don't be afraid to touch the canvas with the cloth, though vigorous rubbing and application of bodily secretions should be avoided. Naturally, the glass in any frame can be cleaned with a cloth sprayed with glass cleaner and the frame can be maintained with furniture polish or a dust cloth. Encaustic ( a.k.a. wax) works can be buffed with a clean, soft cloth to restore their luster. After all, who doesn't like a good buffing now and then?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruIxVvsvVg9KTzZMPDgzjiT48bDpwQOA6GJzIIvBsAacMyl6JSi29c3vDBEUBhZfi3JFa29VcVRY0Ci927q1Uv3OZX3tC_EVopxhHJ2eJsVSXXPbQz7XYQvyBcoVZNhEQyBEd2c55Uro/s1600/PurpleSeaDragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruIxVvsvVg9KTzZMPDgzjiT48bDpwQOA6GJzIIvBsAacMyl6JSi29c3vDBEUBhZfi3JFa29VcVRY0Ci927q1Uv3OZX3tC_EVopxhHJ2eJsVSXXPbQz7XYQvyBcoVZNhEQyBEd2c55Uro/s320/PurpleSeaDragon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my Encaustic Sea Dragon Paintings</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Finally, if you have any questions regarding how to care for artwork, simply ask the artist you purchased it from. Trust, we want our stuff to stick around and we're happy to help you out with the how-tos. Most of what we do is not so entirely precious or delicate that it can't handle life in an average home. The work we do must first survive life in our studios, which you'll know is sketchy at best if you've ever visited an artist's space while they're in the throes of a creative frenzy.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG_PlG3tsUEtGLk6s5aAzKWdStm7ci26KhDIT8LyL721p5wGGuElJUxYHsneKH7ieGi_h7Xl-vIG4cgpnrQbWjCH0Hn37bRwZITBmns84lxEy9uh5g-q69aPcI0AddogEMzyMIqop41k/s1600/Studio1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG_PlG3tsUEtGLk6s5aAzKWdStm7ci26KhDIT8LyL721p5wGGuElJUxYHsneKH7ieGi_h7Xl-vIG4cgpnrQbWjCH0Hn37bRwZITBmns84lxEy9uh5g-q69aPcI0AddogEMzyMIqop41k/s320/Studio1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My studio, not exactly a hermetically sealed environment.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Most importantly, enjoy your collection! Choose what moves you regardless of what's considered "cool" or "sophisticated". Ultimately what matters most is how art makes you feel and feeds your soul each day, not what the glitterati (aka trendouches) think is killer.</span> <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Even those abiding in the most humble of abodes have a right to have a daily dose of beauty and with just a little TLC, taking care of your treasures is as easy as falling in love with them in the first place.</span>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-29105890493755761312011-04-07T15:50:00.000-07:002011-04-07T15:50:40.949-07:00Happy Headless ChickenI decided this year that I was going to take my show on the road and bring my art to the streets. It's been a couple of years since I sold at an Arts and Crafts festival and during my hiatus I've found myself pining for the open air, the congeniality of fair folks and egregiously fat ladened, deliciously fried, festival food.<br />
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My location in sunny Southern California allows for ample art fair opportunities from the smallest town farmer's market to the most highly regarded juried festivals as well. In order to start my season off with a bang, I applied to the esteemed <a href="http://www.patchworkshow.com/">Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival</a> last month and much to my delight, I was accepted to the May 15th Long Beach show!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsGAnRo5GaNnPTYcU80uzKs1LZhXYq5NO1-MIt5D8mk_x0o4dpknwtJmFaZ5WpWW-S3IjXMo2ARVDe0tWzKw2aiIMPSIJFMHAZhyphenhyphenPufuXWsfN_TR7diRD2NEvQzKppy1fWlVcgL7Rj6g/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsGAnRo5GaNnPTYcU80uzKs1LZhXYq5NO1-MIt5D8mk_x0o4dpknwtJmFaZ5WpWW-S3IjXMo2ARVDe0tWzKw2aiIMPSIJFMHAZhyphenhyphenPufuXWsfN_TR7diRD2NEvQzKppy1fWlVcgL7Rj6g/s320/15.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><br />
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As I mentioned, it's been a while since my last fair and I find myself frantically, but gleefully preparing myself for my maiden CA craft voyage. I'm resolved that there will be no half-stepping with my set-up at Patchwork. I have already begun to devise my product layout, purchasing display racks and baskets mined from a variety of sources including the local thrift and ebay. I'm designing my own cards, tags and promotional items. I'm sourcing out tents, tables and lighting. Oh, and naturally, I'm creating a gang of new art, art objects and accessories for the occasion. I'm expecting a complete emotional collapse about a week before the even, but so far my crazy train has remained on the rails. The battle cry for success has become "Branding and Cohesion"! I intend to present a unified art identity front at my booth, without any hint of the chaos that created it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQjggIvqGpchkRhEuV4E_jvwHLAUJn8KuiItaCteRbG0BVuQcsbn7uGcn0giqXKsxwFpA2zrrGrG8OIxMz_pt1mkFWVcmEJCPL2ZyiFUI6qUDcOwQYWSydXK0eUO_sDIVFQJdhnlIxHg/s1600/Studio6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQjggIvqGpchkRhEuV4E_jvwHLAUJn8KuiItaCteRbG0BVuQcsbn7uGcn0giqXKsxwFpA2zrrGrG8OIxMz_pt1mkFWVcmEJCPL2ZyiFUI6qUDcOwQYWSydXK0eUO_sDIVFQJdhnlIxHg/s320/Studio6.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hint of said chaos.</td></tr>
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Of course, every war has its casualties and preparing for this beaux arts battle is no different; my dining room table is now crusted in a festive array of pink glitter, resigned to its new fate as a circus side table as I create a handmade bunting banner for my display area. Yesterday, I spent the greater part of the afternoon designing hang tags (the kind you tie on to your work to denote cost, not the things that hang eerily off your hide awaiting removal). My dedicated studio space is creeping across its confines to the common areas of the apartment as I build inventory and gather supplies. As I look around I realize I would have done well as a communist general, commandeering property to suit the needs of the state. Especially given the fact that l'etat c'est moi.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkExApiyn2nATToOf4V4xG7NjpvN9VkBkBTJMFq6QbD4tr8OpmyyaF2-YvQinvI5nqvbXn6FU9KzUzOgmq9VEVl7j_ZWSeqKFhmlkalulXedJocwT0aV3WP_jrmcS2LmczwLbCAvyRQ2M/s1600/BuntingBits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkExApiyn2nATToOf4V4xG7NjpvN9VkBkBTJMFq6QbD4tr8OpmyyaF2-YvQinvI5nqvbXn6FU9KzUzOgmq9VEVl7j_ZWSeqKFhmlkalulXedJocwT0aV3WP_jrmcS2LmczwLbCAvyRQ2M/s320/BuntingBits.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunting bits, pre-construction.</td></tr>
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Despite the mess, I'm truly excited to begin the season. I'm fortunate to live in a city overflowing with parks and public space. Markets and fairs abound just within the confines of my municipality and I'm hoping that momentum will serve me if I merely take advantage of what's nearby. Reclaiming DIY may have truly begun with a boot in the ass from the world wide web, but I believe its future lies in the old fashioned notion of gathering a community to meet its artists face to face. Inviting an audience to witness what we do in the flesh via demos and conversation and allowing them the chance to satisfy their senses by experiencing art first hand is gratifying for everyone. And access to corn dogs and cotton candy whilst immersing yourself in culture certainly sweetens the pot.<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=micheltheart-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000N56R72&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-62340724455028723102011-03-28T14:21:00.000-07:002011-03-28T18:51:17.844-07:00Pitching a Big Fat (Photo) Tent<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I've been selling work on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/queenofqueens?ref=seller_info">etsy</a> for a few years now. If there's one key I've discovered to successful selling on online marketplaces it's the quality of your photos. Like many of you probably have, I've had to improvise most of my shots and improving my pictures is always a work in progress. By which I mean a tear inducing nightmare of creative frustration.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I've sweated in the blazing sun, down on my knees like the hardest working of groupies, just to pull off framing a cute teapot on a grassy knoll. Behind every idyllic, photo-fairy wonderland is a grunting artist with onset arthritis. Regardless of joint pain and emotional duress, I had to use the resources and settings that were available to me until I could improve my equipment. After the last bout of grass stained knees and gnat bites, I resolved to crawl out of the primordial photo ooze and onto dry land once and for all.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Last year I purchased a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZS7-Digital-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B00395WIXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301346863&sr=8-1">Panasonic Lumix</a> point and shoot digital camera and my ability to pull in close for macro shots improved by about a million percent. I could have kissed the camera, and maybe I did, that's really for me to know.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This year, I was determined to create a small indoor studio to provide my work with the best possible setting. I put a tremendous effort into conceiving and creating art and I was tired of tired photos minimizing my work. You wouldn't snap shots of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Tour-Memorabilia-Bettie-Page/dp/B0002XZLD6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1301346936&sr=1-2">Bettie Page</a> under flourescent lights in front of a stained bed sheet if she was your model, would you? Those of you who read this and said " why yes, yes I would" are free to leave the blog.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">After reading as many etsy photo tutorials and threads on the subject that I was able to get my greedy eyeballs on, I was ready. I purchased a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-30-Photo-Soft-Light/dp/B001TKCZVM/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1301347004&sr=1-3">photo tent</a>, a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-30-Photo-Soft-Light/dp/B001TKCZVM/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1301347004&sr=1-3">studio light set</a> and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pedco-UltraPod-Lightweight-Camera-Tripod/dp/B000ANGNN0/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1301347142&sr=1-3">tripod</a>. The tent is large enough to accommodate almost all my smaller 2-d and 3-d work, but small enough to easily set up on my desk. The tent allows the most flattering, diffused light which easily illuminates the work without shadows or glare. Using halogen or full spectrum bulbs keeps the color true in a way that is nothing short of miraculous. If any of you has ever tried to take shots of your work outdoors on a sunny day, you know how depressing the bleached out results can be. It's like washing hand-me-downs in Cheer and hoping it'll brighten up the colors just a little. No such luck.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My photos look like another person took them, which is usually my litmus test for knowing I've succeeded at something. Just take a look at the glorious results!</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70792617/barrette-cute-cuckoos-nest-hair-accesory" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2_gEX5zeGAxGghyzlWTWldUK8YEgWGwjyVf3BJDhuzcNnX0VNcwuN0RLQcEBfVngHq6oRzo2-JClA-1jP-0YDziClEHo3gfhJEVdJTARbeGvUpAGWPzKcjsfCzQQ6xxCrL6Hi85a3BM/s320/BirdBaretteWingsUpFront.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Cuckoo's Nest Barrette by QueenofQueens</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/43911304/surreal-original-watercolor-aceo-eye-c-u" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56JngbcD3j-CnZ0RGf3tiWDxnmtZgTqCZc-RQQve-M8hXBVbU_TaVCR1BB4lXej4KtjUC0nf4eLEA1_zZOnYVoDUed0k7D5r4CQwjRL2EosHRcTIgXkJEcQi5fNb7WUWRBizFuYTrvx4/s320/EvilEyeSunflowerNew.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evil Eye Sunflower-Original ACEO Watercolor by QueenofQueens</td></tr>
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</div><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I'm so happy with this change it's a wonder I don't start photographing every object in my house for the sheer glamorizing effect it has. For that matter, it's amazing I don't climb into the tent and try to take a self portrait. </span>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-90008531663370301422011-03-24T12:30:00.000-07:002011-03-24T12:43:07.323-07:00The Curse of the Polyartisan<span style="font-family: courier new;">Much like Ado Annie could not deny the advances of any man, I'm just a girl who can't say no to new art mediums. In a marketing driven world of easily recognizable brands, this may seem at best counter-intuitive. Despite the risks associated with art multitasking, I must fuel my creative need for variety lest I lose my damn mind doing the same thing day after day.</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">I realize too, that I need not share each thing that falls forth from my frighteningly fecund brain. Trust me - I don't. Some ideas, though, are simply too rich to keep buried in the artist's attic. I am willing to risk creating a little confusion in order to share the wealth of rich absurdity I stumble upon during the course of a creative session.</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">So, despite what the marketing gurus may say, I will continue to make art with every available medium. I will offer the world a rich diversity of goods: paintings, upcycled vintage goods, jewelry, accoutrements. All stamped with the signature of my singular vision. I do this because I'm not an advertiser, I'm an artist.</span>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-23665661946467334432011-03-21T13:45:00.000-07:002011-03-21T14:04:20.729-07:00Tattoo Yer Bones<span style="font-family: courier new;">Take a look at this fine blog my tattooing was featured on today.</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">Most enjoyable, though I do think the author could stand to work a little less and eat cheesecake a little more.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://catbirdcraft.blogspot.com/2011/03/art-of-tattoo.html"><span style="font-family: courier new;">Frankly Speaking by Frank L. Fettle</span></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWzQPwrJ33Ly0jEXbt4b5FPvl4AYQokpPKYWWGwGYfJymPYPUyUCR8IL5a0hVA5rQCtXur9Nlr5Uv7nOahW3wgVp6ca4UU1-sz7qPT4e9XkU5wbmh8sVqr4FagJ5aOUXMaKCTj8wXM_k/s1600/FrankBlog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWzQPwrJ33Ly0jEXbt4b5FPvl4AYQokpPKYWWGwGYfJymPYPUyUCR8IL5a0hVA5rQCtXur9Nlr5Uv7nOahW3wgVp6ca4UU1-sz7qPT4e9XkU5wbmh8sVqr4FagJ5aOUXMaKCTj8wXM_k/s320/FrankBlog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586641669668693426" border="0" /></a>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-44998150448938839722011-03-20T12:24:00.000-07:002011-03-20T14:42:11.940-07:00Treasure Sunday!<span style="font-family:courier new;">I've been lucky enough to have my work featured in a lot of etsy treasuries this year! Some of you are probably wondering "What the fuck is an etsy treasury?". An etsy treasury is a curated collection of etsy seller's work compiled by other etsy sellers according to theme, color or relevance. Many etsy treasuries end up on the etsy front page, and indicate the visual aesthetic of the etsy site.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">Here are a couple of treasuries I was included in this week. Click the titles to be taken to the original treasury at etsy.</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d844e79f2666d91b23d1f5f/national-womens-history-month?index=5"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Women's History Month Treasury</span></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGobDfjnxNi7AxvgC_63w9wDQEoHBDtbAEpzgE-JMF1Rf-DiuTtwmFWo8YgiPE8YD8PBDROpuG-jateRM6G-pyaPrP8AAEZ7-Dp6GJa7Cpo9ieC9qst41-ZRjwDGaCTfID7uhtdNdKEU/s1600/WomensHistory.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGobDfjnxNi7AxvgC_63w9wDQEoHBDtbAEpzgE-JMF1Rf-DiuTtwmFWo8YgiPE8YD8PBDROpuG-jateRM6G-pyaPrP8AAEZ7-Dp6GJa7Cpo9ieC9qst41-ZRjwDGaCTfID7uhtdNdKEU/s320/WomensHistory.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586276470063481778" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d84a779146a6d9188e9f6ac/canivale-of-brown-and-orange?index=0"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d84a779146a6d9188e9f6ac/canivale-of-brown-and-orange?index=0"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Brown and Orange Etsy Ugly Cute Team Treasury</span></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JSCI0ddbFbwzV40XWqj6X0Ccs5v_RXAxOJI7OTJYF_lzHRiJTi5GPRroLZAlDiIy2ynUgtfQPcTkLAZfi9mz97XHEbj2WADFSBzamqz32edhtYp3oFYOuYiExA28q0ysXkzZEz6eYmE/s1600/BrownandOrange.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JSCI0ddbFbwzV40XWqj6X0Ccs5v_RXAxOJI7OTJYF_lzHRiJTi5GPRroLZAlDiIy2ynUgtfQPcTkLAZfi9mz97XHEbj2WADFSBzamqz32edhtYp3oFYOuYiExA28q0ysXkzZEz6eYmE/s320/BrownandOrange.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586276460951854562" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d8165287a858eef98306727/sweet-treats-youd-best-not-eat?index=6"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d8165287a858eef98306727/sweet-treats-youd-best-not-eat?index=6"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Sweet Treats You'd Best Not Eat</span></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VPEfmF-ojSRVockaqks4wfq1wMFf6ebeM6bLdYshlNGL7dgmtcgOzgrXmLi3GTVWoaK1lC2h8gOben1Re_9jlIGiL_h1i7RJF4wWLC-vCz_INXmj1tQfTPr9A850pmFCapHeRtH6Jjk/s1600/Cupcakes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VPEfmF-ojSRVockaqks4wfq1wMFf6ebeM6bLdYshlNGL7dgmtcgOzgrXmLi3GTVWoaK1lC2h8gOben1Re_9jlIGiL_h1i7RJF4wWLC-vCz_INXmj1tQfTPr9A850pmFCapHeRtH6Jjk/s320/Cupcakes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586278180939379714" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d814c2251c76d9191e31541/attention-red?index=4"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d814c2251c76d9191e31541/attention-red?index=4"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Attention RED</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggL7fbzRXQjKAo4Yu1XZgkYMHNgRDuNw-khzIwcHGTkQbx7zfT6nRtlRxQYV83ggIJiSo3Ee7tYAa-8kNX92gdYpIMpF2JT2ylcjV3AQzCrvc-e7AFuzsz81iVM6b64sYHkcRpgdzMeH4/s1600/Red.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggL7fbzRXQjKAo4Yu1XZgkYMHNgRDuNw-khzIwcHGTkQbx7zfT6nRtlRxQYV83ggIJiSo3Ee7tYAa-8kNX92gdYpIMpF2JT2ylcjV3AQzCrvc-e7AFuzsz81iVM6b64sYHkcRpgdzMeH4/s320/Red.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586280257746918002" border="0" /></a></div>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-27856824522418373342011-03-14T22:35:00.000-07:002011-03-14T23:06:24.239-07:00Are you cheating on me?<span style="font-family:courier new;">The Nuclear crisis in Japan is beginning to make me feel like a jilted lover: all the signs of the terrible truth are clearly evident, but no matter how many times we beg for it, our need for clarity is sidestepped by a practiced swindle.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Many of us are sadly familiar with the gut wrenching sensation of knowing we are being deceived. The difference is that when your significant other determines to bang your best friend behind your back, you're not likely to develop cancer or give birth to genetically altered offspring.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">For days the Japanese people and the rest of the world's citizens have been delivered an infinite loop of rickety reassurances from the Japanese Government and those in charge of the Fukushima Nuclear plants. "Oh baby, it was just a partial meltdown, I didn't even get my fuel rod out...". Though we're all certain we've been suckered we passively accept what we're sold in the hope that what we know to be true is truly impossible.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">The fact is, you don't need to find strange panties in your laundry basket to know who's being screwed. Nor does the absence of a mushroom cloud mean that a nuclear meltdown isn't imminent. Unfortunately in this instance, waiting for the validation of a confession could be hazardous to your health.</span>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-83457731614756510872010-03-27T13:09:00.000-07:002010-03-27T13:21:23.505-07:00Queer Team Working with Trevor Project!<h3 style="font-weight: normal;font-family:courier new;" class="GenericStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" >Big news! Beginning today, the <a href="http://www.queeretsystreetteam.etsy.com/">Queer Etsy Street Team</a> will be donating 100% of sales from our shop (less etsy and Paypal fees) to <a href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/home2.aspx">the Trevor Project</a>! <a href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/home2.aspx">The Trevor Project</a> is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ youth.I am so proud to be the team leader of such an extraordinary group of artists and craftspeople! Please help spread the word!</span></h3><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.etsy.com/etsy_mini.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">new EtsyNameSpace.Mini(8353748, 'shop','thumbnail',4,4).renderIframe();</script>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-47855807198931969362010-02-12T21:12:00.001-08:002010-02-12T21:24:20.133-08:00Ratboy To Visit Seattle.<span style="font-family:courier new;">I am certain that Spring is coming because today I rolled down my window and listened to my CD player really loud as I drove to Big Lots.<br />Big Lots, where I scored a bottle of olive oil for $3.50.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">In honor of Spring's imminent arrival, I thought I'd change my blog dress. Do you like it? I' d wear it to boot ranch and feel quite comfortable walking around a botanical garden afterward.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Also in honor of Spring I have shipped the painting<br />"For the Love of Money; Child Eating a Rat" to a group show taking place at South Seattle Community college. The show is entitled "Live+Work: Artists Respond to the Global Recession", which is ironic considering it cost me a small fortune to ship the piece.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I'm very excited to be part of the show though, and only wish there was no recession so I could actually attend the opening. Here's the painting, if you're in Seattle go see it and tell it I said "Hi".</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gJwswmF4jJ6hnhxi1KVp7HqYlZPJuq5V5N65g6kQqD7aGBVpvrp0g8Tm3u3nmyBdk8hB1tcuwB_wmX0lY3Ilbv-QcOgUYxfp3NjcvHbTg1uhxnx9rv59C3_Jn0sZKLg7DyG993eHY1o/s1600-h/4_ChildEatingRat.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gJwswmF4jJ6hnhxi1KVp7HqYlZPJuq5V5N65g6kQqD7aGBVpvrp0g8Tm3u3nmyBdk8hB1tcuwB_wmX0lY3Ilbv-QcOgUYxfp3NjcvHbTg1uhxnx9rv59C3_Jn0sZKLg7DyG993eHY1o/s320/4_ChildEatingRat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437593687035127650" border="0" /></a>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-32237389944578554072010-02-06T15:58:00.000-08:002010-02-06T16:14:32.955-08:00Hunker down!<span style="font-family:courier new;">After a long writing hiatus, both blogside and out in the wide world, I have returned triumphant to the ranting editorial. My first published work in many a moon is now available for the singeing of eyeballs and hopefully the bolstering of spirits at </span><a style="font-family: courier new;" href="http://www.motleyqueer.com/component/content/article/49-fp-feature-articles/211-protect-marriage-for-everyone.html">MotleyQueer.com</a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">The subject? Gay Marriage, and more broadly our tenuous grasp on civil rights.</span><span style="font-family:courier new;"> Read the article </span><a style="font-family: courier new;" href="http://www.motleyqueer.com/component/content/article/49-fp-feature-articles/211-protect-marriage-for-everyone.html">HERE</a><span style="font-family:courier new;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Not coincidentally, I am working on a series of Gocco prints depicting historical badasses. Dead folks everyone should, I believe, hold in high esteem. Below is a photo of the first print, an homage to Doc Holliday.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: courier new;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39737897"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqPYex8-_poY_SgrDbLl-13fuIgovqyaPkHNovFWpNLbOtTHp1WLBFXP8qb2qvW5DRFdnQkKnt7HSbk6HFNVUqdc_ujAEX3ysnRQoiDR-9CqbZ6L_HWPLfnVyLDLhtkAYfpPyJnoWIms/s400/DocHolliday3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435285866610023298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I'm running these prints in limited editions of around 24 or so. The subjects will all have flocked hair for the sake of brevity and to encourage tactile interaction a'la "Pat the Bunny", only with beards and moustaches. Next up an homage to Mother Jones. Prints are available for a nominal fee at <a href="http://www.queenofqueens.etsy.com">my etsy shop.</a><br /></span>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-65826676390402422602010-02-05T12:48:00.000-08:002010-02-05T12:54:43.406-08:00You want me on your side. Trust me.<span style="font-family: courier new;">Last night I dreamed once more of the coming zombie apocalypse. I pulled out every move I know and managed to vanquish maybe twenty zombies, including a zombie tiger. I was unstoppable. I also learned that you will need the following items attached to your keychain in order to survive when it happens in veritas:</span><br /><br /><ol style="font-family: courier new;"><li>Pepper Spray</li><li>A flashlight</li><li>A blunt metal object to inflict trauma</li><li>A decent sized blade</li></ol>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-18843690020068257792009-11-15T23:06:00.001-08:002009-11-15T23:09:21.966-08:00Been a long time since I rock and rolled...Yes, it's been nearly a year and a lot has transpired. I will post updates which will no doubt evoke tears and laughter. In the meantime, I'm having a monster sale at my etsy shop. So check that shit out! Everything 20-50% off so that I can make room for all kinds of snazzy new swag.<br /><br /><script type='text/javascript' src='http://www.etsy.com/etsy_mini.js'></script><script type='text/javascript'>new EtsyNameSpace.Mini(5054991, 'shop','thumbnail',2,3).renderIframe();</script>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-7536459248672532702008-11-10T12:29:00.000-08:002008-11-10T12:41:03.123-08:00Subversive Art and Craft-tacular is GO!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL8jI-hb5rNhQEbei1NF8kga2ZO0EtRuqKb288Ditmkc3EfiFmQLuhrQE23DIdN9OYcPtypV65LewXNv6jfwLTIQHk7ZVN2OU1mMQyhjCKy_b6bwzP6cekIQhHRcpvD4NVjZ8CnWuVD4/s1600-h/CraftTacular_Flyer_HighRes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267131271729213330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL8jI-hb5rNhQEbei1NF8kga2ZO0EtRuqKb288Ditmkc3EfiFmQLuhrQE23DIdN9OYcPtypV65LewXNv6jfwLTIQHk7ZVN2OU1mMQyhjCKy_b6bwzP6cekIQhHRcpvD4NVjZ8CnWuVD4/s400/CraftTacular_Flyer_HighRes.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#993399;">It's official, I will be hosting the first annual Subversive Art and Craft-Tacular at my shop, Anne Bonney Tattoos on Sunday November 23rd. I wanted to create a holiday shopping experience with a little savoir faire and include artists whose work sits outside the mainstream. The show will feature unusual, edgy, weird, different, sensual work by Tampa Bay artists including P$ynner, Terry Pipitone, Heather Spoonster, Dave Cavaliere, Sherrie St. James, Tammy Monger, Lourdes Simon, and myself. We'll beluring in the handmade hungry masses with tarot readings free refreshments. If you're in the hood come on down and get acquainted!</span><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-73084794117979028832008-10-10T11:49:00.000-07:002008-10-10T11:58:24.087-07:00IT'S FRI-GAY!<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;">That means the Queer Etsy Street Team has begun it's weekly promo!</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;">Check out the thread at </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5849622"><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#cc33cc;">http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5849622</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;">All kinds of sweet deals for team members! Freebies, free shipping, goodies, yay! Only for a week though and then it all changes so quick like a bunny, get to the thread!</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;">Not a Queer Team member yet? Then come join our fabulousness! Requirements can be found here: </span><a href="http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=415"><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#cc33cc;">http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=415</span></a>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-38194210691609563632008-10-06T07:17:00.001-07:002008-10-06T07:52:21.331-07:00Emerging from the black hole of Calcutta...<span style="font-family:courier new;">So, I went to Chicago to the </span><a href="http://femmecollective.com/"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Femme Conference</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> in mid August and promptly fell off the face of the earth. The conference was fantastic. I was reminded of who I am and what I'm capable of in ways that I haven't been in years. Spending time with so many beautiful, brilliant, quirky femmes was nothing short of my soul's salvation. The opportunity to have keynote speaker </span><a href="http://www.dorothyallison.net/"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Dorothy Allison</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> witness and affirm all of our lives as femmes, was like being baptised by a fiery queer preacher. The only difference being that this clergy member actually has your best interests at heart and really DOES want to save your soul.<br />I was fortunate enough to present an interactive art workshop with </span><a href="http://juliejewl.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Julie Jewel</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">, Renee Gaudet and </span><a href="http://adelespot.net/"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Adele Sanchez</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">. Renee and Julie are phenomenal artists in their own righ and Adele is a generous supporter of queer art. We spoke about our experiences as femme artists and then led an interactive project which was enthusiastically indulged in by a variety of femme creative types. I was overjoyed by the cooperative frenzy of creativity and what was wrought.<br />Little did I realize that when I arived home from femme-con, still basking in the femme-tastic after-glow, I was about to endure the trials of Job in my personal life. I won't go into details but I will say that I'm fairly amazed that my sanity has remained intact over the last month. I'm finally beginning to wind my way out of the labryntine sadness I've endured and of course I've got an assload of work awaiting me as reward. Whee!<br />The next </span><a href="http://www.myspace.com/square1art"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Square One</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> art Extravaganza will be held at the Ritz Ybor in Tampa on December 6th. I'm very excited to be a featured artist for this event and I'll be premiering work from my globalism series which was made possible in part through a grant from the </span><a href="http://www.pinellasarts.org/"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Pinellas County Arts Council</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">. These events consistently excite me and this one is certainly no exception.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I'm featured this week on the </span><a href="http://www.etsyqueers.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Queer Etsy Street Team blog</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">! Some friends and I started the team to help promote and support the vast numbers of fantastically talented queer etsians. If you happen to be one and you're looking for your tribe, stop by the </span><a href="http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=415"><span style="font-family:courier new;">team profile page</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> and join the fray!</span>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-58827045373474046332008-08-13T12:24:00.000-07:002008-08-13T17:05:30.978-07:00(I'm a) Westward Ho!<div><font face="courier new" color="#663366">So, tomorrow I leave for the land of deep dish pizza to participate in </font><a href="http://www.femmecollective.com/"><font face="courier new" color="#009900">Femme 2008: The Architecture of Femme</font></a><font face="courier new" color="#663366">. I will be discussing my big gay art and how being a big gay artist pours forth upon the canvas. I will also be displaying a mini-retrospective of self portraits culled from the last 20 or so years.</font></div><br /><div><font face="courier new" color="#663366">Needless to say, I need a depends.</font></div><br /><div><font face="courier new" color="#663366">I finished a 2'x3' self portrait I'd been flagellating in the windmills of my mind for several months which I'd wanted to include at the conference as the mode du jour of c'est moi. It's called "Queen of the Dragonflies". Here it is.</font></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWuwUMwM5HAT1LczOuegjcaOUulNx0I2R1DOKTadVPZEtcq1gI5Q6nCC_PXVYUc6dKEW8cmyv1W6EtFYmXGEySpEyxo5-fCdXjzzwvUEWxAD82GJsvT1pU4eLlLGPT0VxEU2LOcfCMlQ/s1600-h/QueenofDragonfliesSmall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWuwUMwM5HAT1LczOuegjcaOUulNx0I2R1DOKTadVPZEtcq1gI5Q6nCC_PXVYUc6dKEW8cmyv1W6EtFYmXGEySpEyxo5-fCdXjzzwvUEWxAD82GJsvT1pU4eLlLGPT0VxEU2LOcfCMlQ/s400/QueenofDragonfliesSmall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234157244895810194" /></a>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-36558335029182254332008-07-28T11:41:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:32:02.628-08:00Ybor Arts Walk!<div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#663366;">This Saturday the monthly Ybor City arts walk will occur. The lovely people who produce the Square One events will be hosting one of the Venues at the Ritz Ybor and I will be displaying some work along with about 10 other artists. It's just so cool to see the area being reclaimed by so much creativity. :)</span></div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228138087196201330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgweetFDlrQ91tHg44BTWFHvCj1m9sj6a3fxmqSc7V4yWRq-Vc8ijj4ymDlGt5V2FuR9BpC2hoRb2XG7w2s0X457Wt8vxMTmZ0Chd7Ho2_9Sw20aLkIL7JZMmE2gsaDyiXMDjtBSN4qVQ/s400/Square%2520One%2520Rocks%25201.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-153184420450820012008-07-16T07:00:00.000-07:002008-07-16T07:22:40.831-07:00SLAPFIGHT<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#663366;">My dear friend Katrina del Mar, NYC filmmaker and photographer extraordinaire unearthed a video we made many years ago and sent it to me recently. Katrina has a penchant for making queer girl exploitation films, depicting tough chicks brawling and balling, slapping and smooching. Her capacity as an artist to capture the most profound beauty in the most profane subject matter has always astonished and amazed me. Her work is infused with a frothy absurdity which provides prophylaxis against the agonizing pretense present in so much "Rock" photography.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#663366;">SLAPFIGHT! Is part homage to the Betty Page era stag films which have enjoyed a rennaissance in recent years and part unbridled celebration of silliness that girls enjoy when they really, really, feel free. It stars Betsy Todd of NYC based band The Santa Marias and yours truly. For more from Katrina, visit her website at; </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#663366;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#663366;"><a href="http://www.katrinadelmar.com/">katrinadelmar.com</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;color:#663366;"></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx3-H7ZVsyFZrNQBJ6ud3hswFCpj2PB2pBUlHfkQKHHMAIHTSiN0HUaEK5IXuc__N5kmK7QFxhqvexLKp_Ltw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-39937006505576226522008-06-23T07:54:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:32:02.966-08:00MQoQ The Interview...<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;">Sometimes Mondays can be happy! I am the featured artist today at </span><a href="http://blog.glamasaurus.com/2008/06/23/michelley-of-queenofqueens/"><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#993399;">Blogasaurus</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;">! Click the link to read the interview and afterward be sure to check out the Blogasaurus shop afterward. Andreanna makes outrageously cute jewelry that you WILL covet! I absolutely love this Bambi necklace... </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmBnA9fGIC-hiesvyCg1XViAlQACse2NlIRHrBm4jGTXTalPpxki50McGOYCffDQipYNvJnoTf3Xiw68spJ-nepslhaD3acEVyTe5DvWNtOcs11erDQZ-fckHkEZnpWdPmKkagxuT-VU/s1600-h/bambinecklace.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215091755399136498" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmBnA9fGIC-hiesvyCg1XViAlQACse2NlIRHrBm4jGTXTalPpxki50McGOYCffDQipYNvJnoTf3Xiw68spJ-nepslhaD3acEVyTe5DvWNtOcs11erDQZ-fckHkEZnpWdPmKkagxuT-VU/s200/bambinecklace.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;">WANT!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;">AND the Varvara necklace! WANT! WANT!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9igj4SnaDgvK_yVZvcYjWzOnYBM8_bNjQ8ScTBKVMM3J4vTcYYgQGLdw0QnZkSqU3y1EgWu-6PH-j_AnbZNdJ76c01temwQ7jgHGtfZ5R8sBE_Yai0wMYftD_z_wqYhvXYgyD4ZyHIOk/s1600-h/varvaranecklace.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215092822014118866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9igj4SnaDgvK_yVZvcYjWzOnYBM8_bNjQ8ScTBKVMM3J4vTcYYgQGLdw0QnZkSqU3y1EgWu-6PH-j_AnbZNdJ76c01temwQ7jgHGtfZ5R8sBE_Yai0wMYftD_z_wqYhvXYgyD4ZyHIOk/s200/varvaranecklace.jpg" border="0" /></a>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254149169488365153.post-8156762881013723862008-06-11T13:25:00.001-07:002008-06-11T13:33:22.460-07:00A Mad Cool Online Community for we Crafty Ho's<span style="font-family:courier new;color:#009900;">I just joined DIY Scene which is an extremely supportive online community of artists and craftspeople. Really cool, and extremely friendly peeps there with an awesome punk and subculthcha type of vibe. If you're looking for your tribe, this just might be it. I've had about 15 people heart me on etsy since I joined last week and already had one sale! They are a large etsy team as well. In order to join you have to fill out an application with your basic info and fulfill a few community supporting requirements over the course of your first two months but they're all fun things you'd do anyway. Click the Linky if you think you might want to join:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.diyscene.com/forum/index.php?referrerid=2720"><span style="color:#993399;">http://www.diyscene.com/forum/index.php?referrerid=2720</span></a>Michelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08620318962244964817noreply@blogger.com1