Come check out the "Spirit Animal" show at MINT Gallery tonight from 7-11pm.  The Back Pocket's will be leading a Vision Quest of some sort (sorry no sweat lodge), we'll have special "secret drinks," and art from over 40 artists.

Why the Atlanta art scene is becoming so exciting:

There’s this phenomenon new to our generation that includes an upheaval of collectives, non-profits, and spaces for emerging artists.  While not directly saying “goodbye hoity-toity, snooty galleries”, or “fuck the establishment”, as an act of rebellion, or a subconscious reaction to Thomas Kinkade’s commercial success, this movement still has a lot to say.

 Our events are so interesting people write about them.  We have Burnaway, Creative Loafing, and numerous art/artist blogs. If you want to check out a show and which to go to there’s Thoughtmarker.

 When attending events like Dodekapus’ Carnival for Living Walls: The City Speaks, Living Walls all in itself, or Flux/10, and the numerous openings at MINT, Young Blood, Beep Beep, Eyedrum, Wonderroot, Kibbee, I was reminded of when I was in school studying Art History, and how I yearned to experience something at even 10% of the level as the Flux or Dada movements of the past, and if I succeeded I would die a happy girl. This surge of creative entities is putting Atlanta on the map for the visual arts. We’re doing something successful this city has long been in need of. None of these organizations look or seek fame, wealth, attention, but thrive by being a part of the community, coming together for common causes, helping any artist get their foot in the door.  Although, always grateful for any donations, and as an artist it is nice to make some sales, many of us do what we do because we love it and are passionate about this route and are unconcerned with what monetary gains it brings us. Yeah, there is LA, and NYC, but being a part of what is taking place in the ATL is a little bit of magic.  Building something out of numerous years, days, and hours of hard work and watching it grow is fulfilling.  And that fulfillment is wealth enough for me.

 The term “emerging artist,” is conflicting in that it really was in short a way to say, a not-yet successful artist in societal and financial standards: being someone who has not yet achieved any fame, commercial success. Of course, being an “established artist,” is the goal of most, but just being able to be called an “emerging artist” and be a part of this craziness is a success all on its own.  Will this period in time happening right now be remembered years from now? Hells yeah it will.

I've exchanged a lot of postcards with people from all over the world.  Here's some new ones.

Why do I always take a lot of pictures? I think pictures are magical, they are documentation of that one place and time in your life that will never occur again. Even if other people don't "get it," or they seem mundane, they are special moments. I also find the beauty in almost every little thing.


I just thought of this now, as I look through and upload many photographs.  The awesome thing about technology is allowing one to do so and share with the world.  I like to share other things I find inspiration and beautiful with others!  Don't make me regret it!

As some of you might know, not only do I make my own art but I also make kids make it too, that was a lot of makes so I hope that makes sense.  That's also probably grammatically incorrect. Anyway, I've been having a hard time sleeping so in the meantime I have been browsing for some new projects to do with my Preschoolers and I have come across some amazing Art and Crafts blogs for children.  Here's some of my favorites.
Fem Manuals
The Crafty Crow: A Children's Art Collective
Art Projects for Kids

Also, I have been bad about updating :(  So here is a list of things to come and also my tentative TDL:
-Upload pictures from many past gallery shows including ones way back when to the recent Living Walls: The City Speaks, FLUX/10, and Bellury Kills @MINT Gallery
-DisneyWorld!!
-Post some cool show cards for our upcoming events
-Post info about the postcard exchange I did with my Summer students
-Post some cool student artwork
-hmmmm, add some pictures of art work I have been working on


Ok that's all for now!

Randomly stumbled upon this when I was researching Thai funerals since it is something I don't know a lot about: Thai Funerals, I don't know how accurate this all is, but it is very interesting!  I haven't personally experienced this, but it all comes together when my father described it and what my mom has told me about Thai funerals.

This also reminds me of a childhood memory that I just remembered of being in a taxi with my family and looking out at the street stalls and seeing one filled with beautiful, intricate coffins, I just remembered that they glittered and sparkled and were colorful.  A time you regret not having a camera.

I find it also interesting that Thai funerals are also described to be celebrations of the person's life.  This reminds me of the Day of the Dead's events which I'm learning more about.  I haven't been to many American funerals, but I find them much more filled with sadness and a lot of crying.  Actually, now that I think more about it learning about different cultures' takes on death and funerals is pretty inspiring.  So is thinking about how flowers play a part in a lot of funerals.  Burial vs. cremation.  I know people are very picky about where they end up and what container they're in.  I personally have always been an advocate of cremation because if you think about the amount of space burial grounds take up... especially in the US alone because I don't know a lot of people who would get cremated....anyway back to space, I just think it would be better because people die everyday and I'm sure a lot of them are getting gravestones, and rarely does anyone want to build on top of dead people, and that's creepy anyway I mean I'm not really superstitious, but I like to believe that all dead should be respected.

However, my original point was that after hearing about how some cremation services don't do there job, it was a little disturbing.  For example, that one home in GA, and also the snippet in http://absolutelybangkok.com/thai-coffin-ritual-for-living, about how there are so any unclaimed individuals, and the mass cremation, etc..
Anyway, this is getting a little morose, but soon you all will see why I am doing this research.

Ending my notes with the thought that I am on the side of celebrating one's wonderful life, even after it is over.

From Wikipedia: "Traditionally funerals last for a week. Crying is discouraged during the funeral, so as not to worry the spirit of the deceased. Many activities surrounding the funeral are intended to make merit for the deceased. Copies of Buddhist scriptures may be printed and distributed in the name of the deceased, and gifts are usually given to a local temple. Monks are invited to chant prayers that are intended to provide merit for the deceased, as well as to provide protection against the possibility of the dead relative returning as a malicious spirit. A picture of the deceased from his/her best days will often be displayed next to the coffin. Often, a thread is connected to the corpse or coffin which is held by the chanting monks during their recitation; this thread is intended to transfer the merit of the monks' recitation to the deceased. The corpse is cremated, and the urn with the ash is usually kept in a chedi in the local temple. The Chinese minority however bury the deceased."

This was our first visit to the Hammonds House Museum, there was some really cool historical artwork there and some interesting new exhibition pieces.  Some material may not be suitable for young children. *

For more information about the Hammonds House click here.