late nights

It is 230am and I am still awake!!! Lately, I have been staying up all night due to painting and my mind going just all over the place. I am not even sure my brain is functional this late to even blog, but when I have the urge to start typing…I have to just do it. I just got done with a painting session to finish up a skee ball project. I had to finish up the details. I have been delayed a bit here and there, but I am getting things done as best as possible. I took a small break in between painting to snap this. Do you like my painting apron???

I had a facepaint gig for a halloween project for Motiontography Studios, whom I have worked with before. I really enjoy doing facepaint and bodypainting for photoshoots, shows and videos. I have kind of stepped back from doing beauty makeup and been more into the abstract and crazy makeup. I say this all the time, but I would love to get into special fx makeup…one day. Here I am with my lovely model below who I got to paint a very childlike-abstract look, which I cant wait to show the video to you guys when its complete! Its gonna freak you out!

This week has been long, and I know its only Monday, so I guess I should say last week has been long. I have been on the apartment/house hunt for the past few weeks, because my lease will be up next month and I am panicking a bit on where I am gonna go. I know everything is going to be ok, I will find something soon.

I just got a new printer, actually from craigslist, for only $25! I needed to get an inkjet printer so that I am able to get started on my tshirts… and I lucked out on finding one. I ordered more ink and transparencies sheets and then I can start which I am excited to do once Halloween is over.

My brain is not working and I feel myself getting drowsy. I just wanted to show you the top part of the skeeball, that I actually had to repaint because the client wanted more of the skeleton showing and just part of the trunk, but it turned out even better than I had hoped. So, check it out! and I am off to bed so I can finish up more stuff in the morning.

Goodnight, my loves! see you in the next post!

Painting Sessions

Wednesday is here and pretty much gone seeing as it is already 7pm as I am sitting down to blog. I spent most of my day today with my brother Jeff and his girlfriend, looking for a new place to call home. Looking for a new place can be exhausting, but it will be nice when we find something and get settled. I cannot wait until I am able to purchase a house. A house to call my own. One day, I will.

I received an awesome package from my sis, Nique from Denver. We take turns sending little care packages whenever one of us are thinking of the other or when were going through a hard time. She is so thoughtful, I got this cute scarf above in the photo, along with relaxing bath salts, a white candle, 2 mini paintings, a journal, and a photo box. Of course, I had “You’ve Got Mail” playing in the background. hahaha (Don’t judge me)

I crammed in a painting session last night, I think I stayed up until 2am. The awesome thing about these projects I have been painting, is that I have to paint with my black light. Its really fun. I almost feel like I am in a bowling alley during midnight bowling. I felt like such the geeky artist last night painting, (not that I mind) I was reminded of She’s All That and Not Another Teen Movie…of Janie Briggs in the paint covered overalls/apron just imagine me….painting hahahaha That is soooo me right now! All I need is a hot guy to sweep me off my feet. hahaha

My workspace last night. I have brought my art space out to the living room and out of my cave, so that I can watch movies on my big tv.

 

This is what I have so far! Keep in mind, that this is just the first layer and details are yet to come! The first picture is with the lights on, and the second, with the black light. I am loving how it is coming together!

 

I finally arranged to pick up my screenprinting equipment today and I am picking up an inkjet printer tomorrow, and I cant wait!!!

As for our newest puppy, Jacob, he is just sooooo cute and has such a big personality. I just cant get enough of him!

He likes to nibble on my hair and ears. I cant wait to see how big he is gonna get, but for now, I am enjoying able to pick him up and hold him with one arm. hahahaha

I have more to get done, and I only stopped to take a break, which usually means stopping to work on something else. hahaha

I will leave with these thoughts tonight! Good night and see you in the next post!

Paintings, Puppy and Tattoos

 

It is mid-October just about and I have been keeping myself busy with art projects and focusing on my business. I have been in love with the weather because it has been cool and I can finally get my fall and winter clothes out of storage! It has been raining here pretty much the whole week, which I have been loving-even though sometimes it makes me not want to do anything but lay in bed and watch movies. I couldn’t do any of that this week, as I finished up a commissioned project to recreate a clown for a festival coming up. This was a fun project. I have never used UV paint (only for facepainting) so I had a little difficulty with glow in the dark paint and fluorescent paint, until a fellow artist mentioned for me to go to Stage Right Lighting here in Virginia Beach and of course, I found what I was looking for.

When I tell you what a difference this other paint made, you will be so impressed! This paint, Wildfire is amazing! It is more expensive but honestly so worth it because it has such great coverage and it is soooo bright. I picked up white, purple, magenta, and blue, each priced at $12.95 each for 6 oz. The best thing about the white is that I was able to mix the fluorescent paint I purchased from Michaels and make it just as bright. Check out the difference below!

 

Here is the final after I added all the finishing touches. And I think it came out great!

 

Just to clarify, this is NOT my original design, this was inspired by the following design found online from a miniature golf course.

 

I am now working on a new project inspired by pirates. I am excited to finish it up.

I have done a few other little things here and there to keep myself busy in between projects.

 

I am still working on my skills everyday in any realm of art I can get my hands into. I recently invested in some screen-printing equipment so I can finally launch a few tshirt designs that I have been wanting to do for a long time now. I have always been interested in screenprinting, and not to reproduce for other people, but mainly for myself. I just enjoy creating things. I was able to get an awesome deal from someone on Craigslist whom I actually knew as a local artist in the hampton roads area. He even threw in a sweet painting for me as well! He hand crafted this screen printing station, like, how amazing is that???

 

 

In other news, I finally got my head tattooed!!! I cant believe I actually did it, but this is something I have wanted for quite a long time, which if you have read my previous posts about it, you will know that this piece holds a special place in my heart as this is a tribute to my grandmother, Carol who passed away from cancer almost 4 years ago. It turned out amazing. I will share more about my experience on it in the next blog post, as I feel that it deserves its own post, rather than casually mentioned on this one.

And, we finally have our new addition to our family, Jacob, who is half husky and half pit and is only 8 weeks old! We picked him up today and it has been great to have a dog around the house again, although we miss Mystique terribly, at least we have a puppy to love on.

Well, it is nearing 1130pm and it has felt like a long and exhausting day due to a lot of driving, a lot of rain and chasing a new puppy around. So, I bid you goodnight and I pray that you all have a safe and sound night with sweet dreams.

Xoxox, Cecilia

Comfortable Silence

Happy October, my friends! I cannot believe how it is already Fall. Now that I am getting back into my groove of things, and finally over my cold, I can get back to business! With October comes many harvest festivals, carnivals, hayrides and haunted houses and I love it all. It’s a season of warm cider, hot chocolate and coffee. Long walks in the woods, watching the leaves change, building fires and decorating for the holidays. It’s a time of family, friends, gatherings and special events.

There is a part of me that loves being outdoors, when its cold enough to put a few layers on, but not too cold to where my toes are numb and I have frostbite on my nose. When I was younger, I loved to explore trails, woods and secret pathways. I am always curious to see what I can find. The same goes for Antique stores, and libraries, I am a geek to the core. For some reason, when I am exploring, the cooler weather just makes it so much more different. It sets a mood, it puts excitement into the air and it energizes my soul.

The smell of the grass, earth and trees, the comfortable silence and the innocence of nature. It draws my curiosity, entices me with its spirit.

The library holds mystery, like a secret that is waiting to be found, to be explored. I love curling up in a big sofa, with a blanket, a cup of coffee and getting completely lost in another world, while a warm, crackling fire tries to lull me asleep with the smell of burning wood. Behind the book, all time stops, its almost like you walk through the wardrobe into a strange land the moment you open a book.

 

Since I cant always run off to the library or go hiking through the woods, I try to make my home a sanctuary where I can relax, calm down and reenergize. I love Hazlenut Cream, cinnamon bun, vanilla spice any type of spice candle, where it either smells like a coffee shop or a bakery shop. What can I say, I have  sweet tooth, and I love for it to smell sweet too.

 

 

 

 

Autumn is a time for piling layers of clothing on, long socks, long sleeves, scarves, hats and gloves, leather boots and bags. I feel more comfortable in layers of clothes than a glamorous formal gown. Of course, I have to share some styles that I am in love with and that I would totally wear and I wish I could just “download” it off the internet and into my closet. Oh, why don’t we have this technology readily available to us??? One day, I can only hope.

 

What I love the most about the fall and the holidays that are quickly approaching, is having those you adore, love and cherish with you to share these simple, yet very meaningful moments in our short time of this life. Although I am an introvert at heart, and I love my “me time” and I am comfortable being alone, but I love going out and having fun and being goofy around those I can be myself around.

This past weekend kickstarted the season, and I was able to enjoy my past weekend with my family and children. We headed to the Neptune Festival where we hoped to catch a glimpse of same rad sand sculptures, eat a ton of festival food, and check out local and out of town vendors and artists. Lets not forget about all the live music provided by passionate musicians.

Look how bog my babies are getting!

My cousin, brother and mom!

Kiddos with my cousin and her boyfriend.

My younger brother and I!

 

My son and I on his 8th birthday!

Outside Dairy Queen!

My cousin, Marina and I!

Momma and I at a concert!

 

My Aunt Beth and I!

Let me add a photo I just got today of the newest member of the family, Jacob (which yes, the kids named after Jacob from Twilight and who am I to deny that????). I just got this photo today from the woman I bought him from'; we cannot wait to get him next week.

I cant wait until we can take Jacob with us on some nature walks! We have a whole lot of love to give this lil guy!

I hope that you enjoyed this post, because I really enjoyed writing it. I really share a part of me that is rather hidden away, but I hope that we are all kindred spirits here and that we can grow together and inspire one another.

Here are two videos that I have posted this week to my youtube, and if you haven’t had a chance to check them out, here is your chance! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE and comment and like!

See you again soon!