43 Things: Easter Egg Hunt/Treasure Hunt on My Site

I update my blog pretty regularly, but I want to update my website more often. I have this cool idea for an “Easter Egg Hunt” on my page that I need to get going. It will bea fun way for visitors to go through my website and find hidden treasures as well as win prize and discounts on art.

See more progress on: update my website more often On my 43 Things page

43 Things List

I found this really cool website called www.43Things.com. It's a community based website where you can create and share your goals. If you know me, I'm an avid list maker and goal writer. I write a goal list every year. As I create and maintain my 43 Things List, I will occasionaly write about a specific goal in my blog. So check back to see what new Goals I have. Who knows, maybe we are working towards the same goal! Each one, Teach one!

So far my goals are:

• work because I like to, not because I have to
• Grow in Christ
  
• save 10% of my income.
  
• become a much, much better digital photographer
• Drive across the USA
  
• Fly First Class
• update my website more often
  
• master CSS
• witness the end of IE
  

My 43 Things List

Art of Elysium: One on One Art Workshop

"It's in giving that we receive." -St. Francis

I had the pleasure to work with two great children last week through the organization, Art of Elysium. Elysium (E.ly’.si.um) is a Greek word meaning a place or condition of ideal happiness. Through "Distractive Therapy," the organization allows artists and entertainers of all genres and mediums to create an environment that allows the children to escape from the pain and anxiety of being in a hospital and undergoing illness. The power of art has a great healing effect. I first learned about the organization from the FOX 11 News. I saw a clip on a commercial and stayed up all night waiting for the feature. The mission of The Art of Elysium immediately struck cord with me because I used to study Art Therapy and have plans to start my own non-profit organization.

I am very honored and humbled to share my artistic gifts with the children I met. The first workshop I did was with a very fun little girl. We had a great time sculpting faces, balls, and just about everything in Shocking Pink clay. She was filled with so much joy and laughter, I was surprised to hear from the doctor that she is normally not so upbeat. Her smiling face and laughter was a great way to end the first workshop of the day. Following that I worked with the sweetest budding artist. His hospital room was filled with his artwork and trophies. It was a joy teaching art to him. He was very observant and asked lots of questions about my art techniques. We worked on a self portrait, done in acrylic paints. He was very excited to know that he was using the same type of art supplies and techniques I use to make my art. While we painted together, doctors and nurses came in the room to check his stats and medicines several times. Each time he paid them no mind whatsoever. I was blown away when the doctors and nurses thanked me for my volunteering because it was helping him keep his mind off of his pain. To see the excitement in his face and voice when he was told that he could keep the paints and would be getting more artists visits, was priceless. I'm looking forward to doing more workshops and working with the children.


For more information about volunteering or donating to the Art of Elysium, visit the website:
http://www.theartofelysium.org/

The Art of Elysium, a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization founded in 1997, encourages working actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions. We provide artistic workshops in the following disciplines: acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and writing.

Please contact the organization at: info@theartofelysium.org

Comic Con BET Animation Panel: Bid 'Em In

During Comic Con, BET announced the development of Animation. The network will produce original animation programming in conjunction with Film Roman. Vin Diesel is the executive producer and voice of the main character in "Hannibal the Conqueror."

BET will begin playing animation shorts throughout their normal programming. The Shorts will range from 6 second parodies like a 6 second tribute to Notorious BIG to a very controversial short called Bid 'Em In by Neal Sopata. The crudely drawn, naive style animation dealt with slavery and the auction block in particular. When the short was previewed, I was stunned. As a woman of color I was offended and uneasy by the animation. I didn't know how to react, but the applause from the crowd blew me away. The short displayed the ugliness and demeaning nature of slavery and the objectification of women. It presented a view into the slave auction, but ended abruptly with no conclusion.

Directly following the panel, I discussed the short with other panel attendees. We questioned BET's motive to display such a riveting short, on such a touchy subject. The issue that stuck out the most to us is the way the slave woman was objectified, much like the women in the music videos today. I thought this was an interesting choice for BET to make as an initial short, considering the content and depiction of the Video Girls in the rap videos. It spurred an intellectual conversation discussing the influence slavery still has in society, along with how this short will be received by America who will be watching this in the comfort of their home. Will it be well received? Will it spur the youth to question the effect slavery still has on society? Will it remind people of the injustice and objectification that took place during the formation of America?

I don't have the answers to those questions, but those questions lead me to research the man behind the animation, Oscar Brown, Jr. The animation short was created by Neal Sopata in 2003 and was widely acclaimed in film festivals. The sing song nature of the animation was a song done by Brown, born in 1926, titled "Slave Sale Song." Brown was a very outspoken Jazz musician with social consciousness on his agenda. He used a spoken word, griot style to remind people of the truths that are often buried in the history books. His in your face presentation of social issues attacked the notions of racism and raised a lot of controversy including his song, "Forty Acres and a Mule", demanding reparations.

Below is a short excerpt from the "Slave Sale Song" and a short clip.

Bid `em in, get `em in
That sun is hot and plenty bright
Let's get down to business and get home tonight
Bid `em in
Auctionin' slaves is a real high art
Bring that young gal, Roy, she's good for a start
Bid `em in, get `em in
Now here's a real good buy, only about 15
Her great-grandmammy was a Dahomey queen
Just look at her face, she sure ain't homely
Like Sheeba in the bible she's black but comely
Bid `em in
Gonna start her at three, can I hear three
Step up gents, take a good look-see
`Cause I know you'll like her once you've seen her
She's young and ripe, make a durn good breeder

Photography for CLIMB's Youth Basketball Camp

The last few weeks I have been taking photographs for CLIMB's youth basketball camp. CLIMB stands for Creating Leaders in Mind and Body. It has been a pleasure to watch the positive effect on the young men going though the program. Not only are they keeping active and honing their basketball skills, but group discussions challenge the young men to apply the lessons learned on the court to leadership in everyday life.

Check out the CLIMB, Inc website if you would like to support this program or get updated on the non profit organization.

http://www.climbinc.org

My First Munny: Sculpting Phase

If you aren't familiar with the Urban Vinyl Toy craze, I'm here to introduce you to it. This is my first DIY Munny from Kid Robot. Many of you know I sculpt my own character heads. The only problem is, they don't have bodies! I chose to use one of my favorite character heads, BlueBeard, and I'm making him come to life on a Munny body. I am using Magic Sculpt, a 2 part epoxy putty, to create the facial additions. I love working with this material because it allows me to work fast, since it cures in 3 hours, and get a lot of detail and durability. The additions I made to the Munny are already hard as rock a whole 24 hours later. I couldn't help but make small heads from the leftover putty. I'm going to paint those and wear them to Comic-Con this week. I'll post pictures of those up as well. I might end offer those in a new product line coming soon.



So here is what you are seeing in the pictures:
1. I began by mixing equal parts of the Magic Sculpt. Once thoroughly mixed, the Magic Sculpt holds a little heat. I let the mixture rest as I drew on the Munny head.
2. I drew in pencil on the Munny head where I would place the facial additions.
3. Sculpting on the Munny head was very fun. The Magic Sculpt adhered to the vinyl well.
4. I ran into one slight problem when it came to sculpting the beard. The beard looked great but it was not holding its place. I want the Beard to be parallel to the Munny's belly, so the head can be turned without the beard being in the way. I didn't have any wire, but settled for a toothpick. I created a step system for the Munny to prop up his beard. It worked perfect!

Next step is sanding and priming.

New Myspace Profile Pic

It's amazing how Myspace has grown so much since it first began almost 3 years ago. I'm happy to say I joined from the beginning, since then I have formed many contacts with fellow artists and designers and reconnected with old friends and new friends. I've had the opportunity to be featured in an Online Magazine, American Superstar, and show my artwork in galleries around LA. If you have a myspace and aren't in my network yet, add me as a friend.



http://www.myspace.com/tatianae

If you like the layout of my page or the animation in my pictures, I'm available for commisions.

Group Show This Friday

Come to a Group Art Show and Musical Night this Friday, July 14th 2006. The event is all ages with a full bar with ID., $10 cover charge. Hope to see you there!