Meristem Studio

A Visit from Johnny Cupcakes

2009-05-14T13:56:00.001-07:00

Artists, designers, foodies, & fashionistas: Johnny Cupcakes is coming.

Johnny Cupcakes represents everything I love about the indie & handmade world. After dropping out of college, he started selling awesome screenprinted tees out of the trunk of his beatup Camry. His shirts feature designs poking fun at pop culture icons, such as his signature skull and cupcakes logo. From the beginning, he chose quality over quantity. All of Johnny Cupcake's shirts are made, manufactured and printed in the USA. Today, his collection of limited edition clothing and accessories is sought after internationally.

Want to learn more about the man, the dream, and what cupcakes have to do with it? Come hear Johnny Cupcakes speak at this Monday, May 18, at West Potomac High School in Alexandria, VA.

Check out more awesomeness at JohnnyCupcakes.com!

Images courtesy Johnny Cupcakes & Crew.

Congratulations, Irina!

2009-04-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Irina of Gemini Belle Designs, who won my tickets to Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in blog giveaway last week! I hope she had a great time and lots of funnel cake.

I got to meet Irina when she picked up her tickets, and checked out her Etsy shop, Gemini Belle Designs. It's full of awesome. Seriously, I think I need this in my life.

Take Flight Mother of Pearl Pendant by Gemini Belle Designs

Call for Entries: Bike Helmet Design Competition

2009-04-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Renaissance Youth Bike Shop (a project of The Engaged University at UMCP) is a youth-based, bike recycling shop and afterschool program. Pretty awesome, huh? Using the bicycle as a catalyst, they work to enhance the lives of young people through educational, recreational and entrepreneurial hands-on learning opportunities.

They've got a call to local artists to add their own "awesomesauce" to bike helmet design. Check out the details below.

A call to artists of all ages, backgrounds and descriptions to showcase your talents. Re-invent, Re-define and Re-brand the bike helmet to save lives. Design is the extra sizzle and awesomesauce that can change minds and shift actions. We are reaching out to others with ideas and imaginative design skills. Can you help to redefine bike helmets as an essential fashion statement?

To Submit: Contact Adam or Noma @ The Renaissance Youth Bike Shop to register, submit designs and receive special prototype helmet canvas.

Concept Designs due April 24st, 2009
Completed helmets due May 22nd, 2009

Award & Exhibition Opportunities: You could be eligible for a 25% creatorʼs commission on a custom line of helmets offered for sale at local shops. Selected entries will also be featured in Art-O-Matic 2009, on our University-linked website and in many other broadcast and print media.

Eligibility: Any resident of Washington, D.C. metro area, Maryland, Virginia

Judging criteria : Youth appeal, humor, and audacity rule. Vibrant colors, powerful letterforms and character renderings welcome. Creative pastiche, sampling o.k. Please, no copywrite or trademark violations. Collaborations encouraged. A fully realized, completed helmet is a necessary part of the final entry.

Jurors: Youth and staff at The Engaged University (http://www.engagedu.umd.edu)

Contact us!
Adam Schwartz, 301-405-3213, adamgs@umd.edu
Noma Mpofu, 301-405-2285, nmpofu@umd.edu

Indie Finds: Artomatic Veterens

2009-04-02T10:32:00.001-07:00

Just in case you live outside of the DC area, or under a rock, Artomatic is returning.

Artomatic is (now) an annual month-long arts festival/exhibit/ball of wonder, and of course, it's all I can think about these days. I'm not alone. So many DC area visual artists visited Artomatic.org on the first day of registration that we nearly broke the site. I, along with 900 others, registered that first day, as soon as Artomatic.org was able to dust off the wreckage and stand again.

With over 1000 visual artists already registered and more than 1200 events expected, Artomatic 2009 promises to be the biggest and baddest yet. Be sure to check it out-- it opens May 29 and runs through July 5. In the meantime, check out these artists... They were part of last year's Artomatic awesomeness and I hope to see them back this year!

Work by Sean Hennessey at Artomatic 2008

People - Concrete and Glass Sculpture by Sean Hennessey
Available at scenicartisans.etsy.com

ktog Series by Rania Hassan at Artomatic 2008

ktog (knittng together) 17 by Rania Hassan
available at shoofly.etsy.com
Compton's PreEncyclopedia Vol. 15 T-U Book Purse by Rebound Designs

A-Z Book Purses by Rebound Designs at Artomatic 2008

FREE Tickets: Sugarloaf Crafts Festival

2009-04-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

I'm so looking forward to a weekend of sunny, 60 degree weather. It's perfect weather for checking out the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival!

Best of all, I'm giving away free tickets!

Sugarloaf is a huge juried fine art and crafts festival, with events along the East Coast from Virginia to Connecticut. This coming weekend, April 3, 4, 5 -- the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will be held in Gaithersburg, Maryland at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. This fun venue offers a great mix of indoor and outdoor areas for more than 300 fine artists and craft designers to display their beautiful work.

Expect amazing craft demos, and a wide selection of fine art and handmade goods, including original paintings and photography, functional crafts, designer clothing, jewelry. leather goods, and more. The young ones (ages 3-11) are invited to don costumes and join in the fun as actors in the Middle Earth Theatre. Outdoor stands will be serving fresh foods prepared on site, including pit beef, grilled chicken in a pita, turkey legs, vegetarian foods, Vietnamese foods, falafel, funnel cakes and éclairs. Yum, yum.

To enter for free tickets, simply comment on this blog post.

Winner(s) will be chosen randomly from all entries Friday morning, April 3, and may receive 1-2 tickets each.
Each ticket is good for all 3 days-- April 3, 4, & 5.
Your comment is good for 1 (one) entry.
Be sure to include an e-mail address or some way for me to contact you.
Want additional entries? Visit MeristemStudio.etsy.com, and mention your favorite item from my etsy shop in your comment. Include the link to that item, and you'll get 2 additional entries!

Happy Festival-ing!

Now Showing...

2009-04-01T06:33:00.000-07:00

Whew.

Taxes are done, I'm all caught up in my classes, and I'm ready to go out! I missed the openings, but I'm looking forward to checking out these two exhibits this week.

I lovelovelove Billy Colbert's mixed media prints, and am pretty excited about his new show, "Love is a Losing Game" at Longview Gallery. Love and Helmets, huh?

I recently discovered the beautiful work of photographer Pamela Viola. Luckily, she's exhibiting right now at the Torpedo Factory's Art League Gallery in Alexandra, VA, and at Lustine Center Gallery in the Hyattsville, MD. I'm not sure yet which works are featured in which show, but I'm looking forward to seeing them in person. From her travel photography to her botanicals, each piece has a dreamy, ethereal quality.

Above: Photography by Pamela Viola

March is for Taxes & Tarea

2009-03-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

... and rain, apparently. But at least I'm not using up all my sunny days working on taxes and Spanish homework.

I have senioritis like idunnowhut.

It is taking all I have to get up and go to class, when I'd rather be getting stuff ready for Artomatic, throwing clay, or even working on my website. But I'm caffeinated and I'm focusing. And once these taxes and este examen espanol are done, I'll have some more exciting things to talk about.

See you tomorrow!
Monique

PS... This is new in my Etsy shop... I have Spring on the brain...

First Green: Original ACEO Painting available at MeristemStudio.etsy.com

Indie Finds: Books

2009-03-27T04:53:00.000-07:00

I have always loved books. When I was young, the trip to the neighborhood library was a highlight of my week. I'd curl up on the mahogany window seat and read for hours, finally leaving with as many books as I could carry. Now, I relish rainy days as the perfect excuse to stay inside and read my newest novel. As much as I enjoy reading, I also love the feel of bound pages in my hands. This week, Indie Finds is dedicated to the art of both the written word and to handmade books.

I have long admired the mixed media and digital art of Jennifer Gordon of StilettoHeights. For anyone else who just can't get enough, she is now offering collections of her work in gorgeous coffee table books. The Mixed Emotions books showcase her artwork, and are printed in limited editions, while Words & Pictures includes both Jennifer's art and poetry.

Words & Pictures by Jennifer Gordon of StilettoHeights

I first fell in love with KateBlack's line of political buttons and such, but I pretty much heart everything she makes-- like this 16 page zine. You can see more in her Etsy shop, or on KateBlack.com.

Through the Viewfinder: New York City No. 2 by kateblack

And one of the best zines with the best message, ever...

The Creative Life Ain't For Sissies by Extra Pickles Press

Ok, so I know this isn't a real book, so much in the traditional sense, but it looks like a book, and it's perfect for those who want to pack a bit of Earl Grey with their lunch-break reads. These adorable tea books are available in tons of fabrics.

Tea Book by EliteElishi.etsy.com

Also in the not-actually-a-book-but-still-pretty-wonderful category are Mark Beagle's wooden bookmarks. A cabinet maker by trade, Mark's shop turtlebones is full of assemblage art reminiscent of Joseph Cornell. He uses leftover wood to make these Japanese-inspired bookmarks.

Rosewood Bookmark by Mark Beagle of turtlebones.etsy.com

Prefer filling the pages of a book yourself? These are a few of my favorite handmade journals.

Black Velvet Wildflowers: Square Coptic Journal by kateblack

Double-Bound Sketchbook/ Journal by ladiestheytalkabout.etsy.com

Hepburn's Notebook by RedOtter.etsy.com

Happy reading!
Monique

Closing Party: Erotica 2009

2009-03-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

MOCA-DC is taking Erotica 2009 out with a bang as they plan a closing party as exciting as the opening was. Of course, it's also your last chance to see two of my screen prints on exhibit.

Models from the Mid-Atlantic region will be donning "erotic costumes" and competing for packages that include a one-hour make-up session with the area's best make-up artists and an in-studio, two-hour portfolio-building photoshoots with one of three of the best known DC-area fashion, glamour, and fine art photographers. Photographers Jerry Harke, Mike Cary, and John Korb, and make-up artists Brie Cafferty, Valerie Whitaker and Amber Gangi are generously donating their time and services.

There will also be a contest for body painting enthusiasts, with cash prizes for best body-painting artist and best human canvas.

For more information on MOCA-DC and their events, please visit MOCADC.org.

Indie Finds: Cherry Blossoms

2009-03-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

Hello, Sunshine!

Around here, nothing says 'spring' more than cherry blossoms.

While we've still got to wait another week for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and even longer to see the trees bloom, today is the first official day of spring. Need a few reminders? Check these out...

Blossoms & Reflection from the Watercolors Collection

By local photographer Christine Ruffo

Available at cruffo.etsy.com

Cherry Blossom Screen Printed Necktie by toybreaker

Small Blossom Table Lamp by Hannah Nunn

Peach Sakura Kanzashi by little cookie

Handpainted Spring Cups & Saucers by Mary Elizabeth Hining

Love is a Losing Game: Art Opening

2009-03-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars... Friday, March 27, Longview Gallery opens Billy Colbert's latest show "Love is a Losing Game". In Colbert's words:

The show metaphorically speaks of modern day relationships by using helmets that serve as the strategic offensive and defensive ways that we deal with relationships and the game of love.

Think about it.....since the beginning of time, human's basic idea of love and relationships have not really evolved. But the world around us has been polluted with unrealistic ideals of love and relationships through the use of technology.

Love is one our basic human needs, that is why prostitution is referred to as "the oldest profession". With the use of writings, television, movies and the internet, the lines of love and lust have been blurred. It is a slippery slope for those who are looking for one and end up in the other.

The show will run through April 24. Hope to see you there!

TONIGHT:: Pecha Kucha Night

2009-03-18T07:34:00.000-07:00

There's still time to RSVP.... Tonight, The Corcoran College of Art + Design hosts Capitol Pecha Kucha Vol. 7.

Pecha Kucha Night is a chance for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. Tonight's lineup is an exciting set of presentations from a diverse group -- from hip multimedia design studios to an artist whose canvas is the human body.

Space is limited, RSVP required: rsvp@capitolpechakucha.org

Presenter List:

Ayo Okunseinde + Adrian Loving + Eric Brewer of Dissident Display - Multimedia Design Studio
Christiana Aretta - Photographer
Antje Kharchi - Corcoran Alumnus and Design Faculty
Marc Ross - Creative Director + Furniture Designer of Spectrum West Collection
Anya Pinchuk - Jewelry Designer of Jewelers Werk
John Athayde of Meticulous - Multimedia Design Group
Gaurav Mishra - Yahoo! Fellow in Residence Institute for the Study of Diplomacy Georgetown University
Harry Chun - Corcoran Fine Arts Photography Student
Ali Herischi - Lawyer/Artist/Photographer
Marielle Mariano - East Coast Coordinator of CHALK4PEACE Inc. - Art Therapist/Art Educator Fairfax County Public Schools + Fine Artist

BUST Craftactular: Still accepting entries!

2009-03-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

I just got back last night from New York City, and can't wait to return for BUST Magazine's Spring Fling Craftacular.

BUST has long been a supporter of the crafting/ indie art community, and their Craftacular's are much anticipated events. Spring Fling Craftacular will be held May 17, at the Warsaw in Brooklyn. The theme is "Garden Party", so in addition to the 50 talented crafters a& designers, you can "learn about guerilla gardening, how to grow your own food and supporting local farms".

If you're an indie designer or crafter, there's still time to apply. The application fee is only $10, and is available here.

Indie Finds: Keep On Keepin On

2009-03-13T08:17:00.000-07:00

Whew... just when I think I have stress...

I was thinking about two of my friends grinding away at their PhD dissertations-- one of which is due in less than two weeks-- when two other friends contacted me to tell me they'd lost their jobs. Times are tough. Really tough. I almost feel greedy with my two jobs. It really made me sit back and appreciate what I have.

So this is for those wondering how they will make it through-- through this last semester, this dissertation, this next pay period, this crazy recession. Things will be better. You will make it. As Curtis said, "Keep on keepin on".

Hugs,
Monique

Keep Calm and Carry On by CutPastePrint
(Screen print available in tons of colors!)

A Brain (the perfect accessory) by It's Not Exactly Rocket Surgery
(For when you think you're losing your mind)

[Defined]™ by JunkMail Greetings at Carol Lee Designs
This is just a reminder. But if you're in the mood for snarkier cards, check out Carol Lee's line of HateMail.

A Print of a Girl Who is On Her Way by Kathy R. Jeffords at thedreamygiraffe

And this, of course, is free...

Call for Entries: Cellular Photography Show

2009-03-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

The good folks at ArtSpace believe that "art should be as accessible as the local basketball court or branch library". And that is why I heart them.

In that spirit, ArtSpace is now accepting entries for their 2nd Annual Cellular Photography Show. It is exactly what it sounds like... your best work, shot with your cell phone cam. Check out some of last year's entries on ArtSpace's Flickr page.

Unfortunately, there's nothing on the ArtSpace website yet, but here are the details from the e-mail I received:

Grab your camera phone (or a friend's!) and hunt down that favorite image or go create something brand new, it is time to pull these wonderful images out of the shadows and up onto the walls of our gallery. Send in an image and enjoy joining friends and patrons for an unforgettable evening.
The night of the show, each photograph will be offered for only $1.00 and folks will be able to purchase the work off the wall as they wish when the event comes to a close! Come early to claim your favorite picture.

Because of the community-oriented nature of the venue, entries should be from DC Metro area residents or friends of the ArtSpace that have images and connections to the District. This show will be viewed by youth members of the ArtSpace and the greater community, therefore entries need to be edited accordingly. This is a ONE NIGHT ONLY event and is going to be an energizing experience for all who participate. Please review the attached legalese fine print below before submitting images!

Submissions due via email by April 15, 2009
Limit: 10 images per artist (we will print as many as we can!)
Please title each image with your name and title:
ie: kristian.whipple.sky
ie: kristian.whipple.moon
Submit to: kristianwhipple@gmail.com

New Community's ArtSpace
614 S Street, NW | Washington, DC 20001
www.artspacedc.org

Artist Information
Please include in your email the following:
Name: Name you want listed with your photography (if different from above):
Address:
Phone (optional) Parent's email or phone number if under 18:
By Submitting to the ArtSpace CELLULAR PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW 2009 you agree to the following:
1. The submitter of the image states that he/she took the photograph, no rights were infringed upon in obtaining the photograph and that no releases or waivers are needed to publish the photograph.
2. The images submitted may be included in an ArtSpace publication to support the ArtSpace and to aid in publicizing the mission of the ArtSpace in either printed or electronic form. The photographer will receive no compensation for sales associated with the publication. While the publication is the property of the ArtSpace and may use any image as part of the publication, the photographer retains the image as his/her property.
3. Works selected for the show are at the sole discretion of the ArtSpace and all printing fees are paid for by the ArtSpace. The ArtSpace reserves the right to sell the images at the opening, with photographer credit, to offset the printing fees associated with the show, and as a tool to build community, without compensation to the photographer. 4. The submitted is 18 years or older or has stated his/her age above along with parent or guardian's contact information.

WrapUp: Erotica 2009 Opening

2009-03-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone --all 300+ of you-- who came out for the opening of Erotica 2009! The artwork was pretty amazing, and it was certainly one of the most entertaining art openings I've been to. Because of the nature of this exhibit, I only took a few photos.

I was excited to meet and discover the work of a new artist. Well, new to the DC area, at least... David Korte is a recent transplant from Michigan, and his altered photography is breathtaking. I am looking forward to seeing his work in more local shows.

And of course, my hat's off to David Quammen, director of MOCA-DC, for organizing such a wonderful event, and for all of the work he does for the community of figure artists and models.

Monique with Amy Melrose of Free in DC

Artwork of David Korte

Aja Lawson (artist/ writer) and Monique and her new screen prints

Call for Entries: Wild Things

2009-03-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

AnnMarie Garden, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute, has a nation-wide open call to artists for it's upcoming Wild Things exhibit. Wild Things is "an exhibit inspired by animals - extinct, extant, real or imagined", and will run from May 31 - August 30, 2009.

The deadline for submissions is March 23, and you can download the application here.

AMG is also still accepting applications for their annual ArtsFest, held each September. ArtsFest is a 2-day event, recognized as one of the top outdoor arts festivals in the Mid-Atlantic region. Applications for ArtsFest are due March 15, 2009.

AnnMarie Garden is a beautiful 30 acre public sculpture park and arts center located in Solomon's Island. Be sure to check out their Call for Entries page for regional events as well.

This Blog is Full of Sunshine

2009-03-09T01:56:00.000-07:00

If I had any energy left in me at all, I would find a photo of sunshine-filled joyfulness to express how happy I am to finally have a three column blog.

However, while I've been known to edit code to fit my needs, I do not actually know HTML or CSS... or anything else that might have helped. What I know now is that it's is usually better to edit code than to upload someone's template. I won't tell you how many hours it took me, but I didn't figure it out on my own. Big hugs and thanks to Amanda at BloggerBuster, and to the folks at The Blogger Guide and Three Column Blogger. Oh, and after everyone notified me that I'd somehow messed up comment enabling, I (finally) found the solution here.

Now that there's sunshine, the rest of my day shall be filled with coffee.

Lots and lots of coffee.

Technical Adventures

2009-03-07T13:30:00.001-08:00

Excuse me.

This blog is experiencing technical ~~difficulties~~ adventures.

Links to my Etsy shop, Galleries & Arts Professionals, Amazing Artists, Sites that Rock, and more will return once I figure out how add a third column to a Blogger template without Blogger making that mean-face at me whenever I try to upload the revised html.

Indie Finds: Ballet Is Making Me a Maniac

2009-03-06T10:06:00.000-08:00

So, I think I have enough to be stressed about.

On top of tonight's opening, preparing work for another show, working crazy hours at the "day" job this week, bills and more bills, playing the daily involuntary game of Frogger to get across the campus parking lot, and the constant juggling that is my life, now I have get ready for a ballet midterm??? And by midterm, I don't mean vocab test. I mean a full routine, a choreographed performance.

Seriously? What was I thinking?

Why did I think a ballet class would be a fun and easy way to fill up my last semester of undergrad? What made me think I could keep up with girls ten years my junior and their flexible bodies? How could I have been so easily swayed by a YouTube video?

That said, the first edition of Friday's Indie Finds is dedicated to things so awesome they almost make up for the trauma of a ballet midterm and remind me of my general love for dance. For example, I'm pretty sure I could perfect my battement frappes if I practiced in these...

Maniac Slouchy Legwarmers by Phineas and Lou

Dance N Bananas Organic Cotton Tee by Partybots
Made for dancing, and good for the earth.

How I Got My Stutter by Madelaine
Like all of Madelaine's work, strange and hauntingly beautiful.

Parisienne Ballet 1956 Record Album Purse by Brinda Kay Designs
Made from a vintage classical ballet album and it's wonderfully irreverent cover art.

Chocolate Ballerina Lollipop by Chocolate Arts
... because chocolate makes everything better.

New Etsy Listing

2009-03-04T07:19:00.000-08:00

In case you didn't notice the link at the top right, I have an Etsy shop. I'll tell you more about how much I love Etsy later... again and again.

Just listed this screen print in the Etsy shop, and will be hanging another from this edition at a showhouse in Baltimore next week. It's one of my favorite screen prints, inspired by the loss of someone incredibly dear to me. I think that I tried to inject as much sunshine into it as possible to make up for mournful memories.

We Could Not Keep Her by Monique Phillips
Screen Print, Acrylic on Paper
available at Meristem Studio

Soon, I'll share some of what I learned last night from Transformer's Framework #9: What We Want is Free. But first... I need more coffee.

Hugs,
Monique

Erotica 2009 @ MOCA-DC... and then some

2009-03-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Because everyone likes to look at nudie pics...

I'm excited to have two of my screen prints in the annual Erotica show at MOCA-DC. David Quamman has some exciting things planned for the opening, Fiday, March 6, including an appearance by Playboy Model Angelina Leigh (right, photo by Ray Sopczuk), fashion show, and live body painting.

Sunday, March 8, Ms. Leigh will model for professional photographers from 11:30 to 1:30 pm at MOCA DC. To sign up for this rare opportunity, contact David Quammen at 202.342.6230.

Here's the full opening night lineup:

6:00 pm - Doors Open
Art on display throughout the gallery

6:15 pm - Make-up artist Bebe S. Bellamont as she prepares Playboy’s Angelina Leigh for a Playboy-style exhibition photoshoot.

7:00 pm - Parade of Models... dressed for the occasion!

7:15 pm - Exhibition Photoshoot with Playboy's Angelina Leigh! Enjoy this half hour Playboy-style photoshoot conducted by Jerry Harke with one of Playboy's top models!.

8:00 pm - Photos with Angelina Leigh!
Get your photo made with Angelina Leigh and get one of her autographed Playboy photos. (available all evening)!

8:00 pm - Body Painting Sessions
- Watch Emanuela Marino get body painted. You won't believe your eyes!
- Watch Yuliya Pak, an expectant mother, get painted from head to toe!

That's going to be a fun opening. But first...

I'm going to check out Transformer Gallery's Framework Panel #9: What We Want is Free. The latest in their panel series focuses on "the importance of non-profit visual arts organizations with small to medium sized budgets - alternative art spaces' and/or 'artist spaces' -and their impact on the past, present, and future of contemporary visual art".

I can't wait.

It's my not-so-secret desire to start a arts education non-profit one day. If this sounds as exciting to you as it does to me, join us. The event is free, TONIGHT, March 3 from 6:30-8:00 PM at The Goethe Institut in Washington, DC.

Welcome

2009-03-02T12:03:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my little corner of the web.

I'm a self-admitted art junkie.

I like to spend as much time as I can making art, getting up close and personal with works of art, meeting new artists, and doing artsy things. Yes, artsy things. The only thing that makes me happier than being overwhelmed by a great work of art is when I'm covered in paint or wet clay. I work just enough to pay my rent and buy more art supplies. I live just outside of Washington, DC, and am blessed to have an awesome network of other art-obsessed friends.

I do hope you return soon and often, as I'll be posting not only about my own work and creative processes, but also interviews with artists and arts professionals, artsy-fartsy happenings in the Washington, DC area (and then some), and whatever art-related schtuff I happen to unearth.

Each person has their own definition of what "art" is, and mine is not limited to "fine" or "high" art. Pish posh. While I'll be sharing about more traditional artists, I also hope to introduce you to amazing indie crafters, "lowbrow" artists, and those who work in much less traditional genres.

Oh, and don't forget to check out the links in the side panel... they're a sampling of other artists, websites, and blogs you may enjoy.

Hugs,
Monique