May's Machete

Hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:13:00 +0000

Since I don't seem able to keep myself to a posting schedule at the moment, I'm going to take a hiatus so I can stop feeling bad about it! I'll be back in a bit, never fear :)

Save the Date for the 2013 KC Chalk & Walk Festival

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:03:00 +0000

Sorry I forgot to post last Thursday! Matt, Henry and I were all sick so I was more than a bit distracted. But we're feeling better now, just dealing with some sore throats still. By the way, Henry sounds adorable talking baby talk with a little hoarse voice, OMG!

Yesterday I turned in my artist application for this year's KC Chalk & Walk Festival at Crown Center, which will be September 7-8. The crew I've been working with and I will all be drawing stills from Hayao Miyazaki movies as part of the "Around the World" festival theme. Natalie and I will be partnering to draw this image from Princess Mononoke in an 8 x 10 foot rectangle:

Save the date on your calendars now!!! You won't want to miss this :)

Related posts:
Event Pics: 6th Annual Chalk Walk in the Historic Northeast
Event Pics: KC Chalk & Walk Festival (2012)
All-Star Chalk Drawing
Event Pics: Chalk Walk in the Historic Northeast (2012)

FREE Screening of "My Brother the Devil" Tomorrow in Westport

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:27:00 +0000

The Kansas City Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is coming up in June, but tomorrow they'll be showing a FREE screening of My Brother the Devil as part of Pride Week. I'm not sure if I'll make it out there or not considering I am a bit under the weather at the moment, but I think it looks AMAZING! So I hope to!

Check out the trailer:
(Click here to see embedded video)

My Brother the Devil will be showing for free in Tivoli Cinemas tomorrow, May 29 at 7 PM.

Related posts:
OUT HERE NOW Short Film Competition
OUT HERE NOW 2012 KC Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
What I've Seen in the 2011 KC Gay & Lesbian Film Fest So Far

Not Much of a Post

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:49:00 +0000

Hey, everybody. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed at the moment. Matt's dad died of throat cancer last week and there's just a lot going on, so I won't be posting again until next week. Hope you are all well! xxoo

Event Pics: rises Zora Opening Reception / Troost Art Hop (May 2013)

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:31:00 +0000

Before I went to the Troost Art Hop last Friday, I had to stop at the rises Zora opening reception hosted by Charlotte Street Foundation. Hyperkewl, the art collective I'm part of, is hosting two different events as part of the rises Zora project so I wanted to show my support. I enjoyed the art they had on display and look forward to seeing more of the project.

The Troost Art Hop was an interesting collection of art and individuals, as always. The KC Drum Tribe came out, and the Emerald City House had a fire out back that I enjoyed watching. The evening was cool enough to make the fire pleasant. All in all, quite a fun filled evening!

Second Friday Troost Art Hop Tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:23:00 +0000

Hey, all! I'll have several pieces up in the Emerald City House (4334 Troost) for the Second Friday Troost Art Hop tomorrow, Friday, May 9th, 6-9 PM. There will be other local artists on display as well, both in the house, and in the Ubuntu Village Community Center across the street, and Pablo Sanhueza will be playing all night at the House. If you see me, say hi! I probably won't stay the entire time though.

Related posts:
Create Your Own Reality at Troost Ave. Festival
Event Pics: Troost Art Hop (Jan. 2012)
Meditations Manifested (Show Pics)
Come See Me at Tomorrow's Troost Art Hop

Henry Plays Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:06:00 +0000

I thought you all might enjoy this video of Henry being adorable. He can already walk better than this now, by the way.. (Click here to see embedded video) Related posts: Now and Then at the Kansas City Zoo Henry's First Easter Henry's Circus Party

Come See Me at the Locust Factory Art Fair This Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:04:00 +0000

One of my most recent mixed media pieces

If you brave the weather for First Friday tomorrow, be sure to stop by and see me at the Locust Factory's Art Fair! I'll be showing my most recent collection of mixed media pieces. I'll also have my portfolio with some old drawings, collages and paintings; a small assortment of feather earrings; and a few assemblages. So if you haven't gotten to see my creations in person yet, this is a great chance for an overview!

The Locust Factory is at 18th and Locust, where the Scarlett Garnet used to be. I'll be there from 6-9 PM on Friday night as well as 12-4 PM Saturday afternoon! Double the chance to see me ;)

Related posts:
Our Lady of Perpetual Beginnings at the Slap-N-Tickle
Event Pics: Steampunk Art Exhibit Opening Reception
Meditations Manifested (Show Pics)
Event Pics: Small Paintings / Morbid Art at the Kiosk Gallery & Art Closet Studios

Event Pics: 6th Annual Chalk Walk in the Historic Northeast

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:02:00 +0000

Saturday was was gray and cold, so we didn't get much done. Just measuring and outlining. Which meant we didn't get to do all the details we would have done if we'd had two days, but I think the result was still awesome sauce. :)

Go team!

6th Annual Chalk Walk in the Historic Northeast Is This Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:39:00 +0000

At last year's Chalk Walk

Hey folks! I'm only posting once this week so I wanted to be sure to let you know that the 6th Annual Chalk Walk in the Historic Northeast is happening this weekend! Luckily, the weather is supposed to be gorgeous for it! Besides the artists, there will also be food vendors, a dj and live music, storytelling and more.

If you happen to remember, last year I worked with a team of other artists to make an image together. This year, we're still working together (plus one more member!) to create a lovely carousel. I can't wait to see what it looks like when we're all done. Of course, I'll post pictures for those of you who can't make it.

Create Your Own Reality at Troost Ave. Festival

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:13:00 +0000

This Saturday from Noon-10 PM is the 9th Annual Troost Ave. Festival, a celebration of Earth Day, as well as the diverse cultures and creative energies within our local community, at 31st and Troost. There will be live music and other performers, vendors, community groups, and more.

Create Your Own Reality, the meetup group I co-organize with Darcy Bloss, is going to be there as well! We'll have a table where you can make a free wrist mala. Mala is an aide for quiet meditation. The malas we will be making includes 10 breath beads, one metal starter bead, and a halfway gem. You'll also get instructions on how to use your mala.

Hope to see you there!

Related posts:
Create Your Own Reality at Maker Faire
Celebrate Create Your Own Reality's 4th Birthday!
Create Your Own Reality Celebrates 3 Years!
Create Your Own Reality at Fringe Fest

Sending Love to Boston

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:52:00 +0000

Henry's Circus Party

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 00:25:00 +0000

Well, these posted all out of order, but you get the idea....

Happy First Birthday, Henry!

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:19:00 +0000

I know I'm late posting, but I was busy with Henry's birthday/birthday party prep yesterday. Can you believe my little guy is a year old today?!?! And that I've finished yet another 365 photo project?! I barely can...

Oh, I wanted to mention, before I totally forget to update y'all, that the winner of the mARTch MADNESS was Just Colcord, whose work I recently admired at the Toy & Miniature Museum!! Congrats, Just!!!

And now, here are more adorable pictures of my adorable son from my 365 project:

See more on Flickr.

By the way, instead of posting Thursday this week, I'm going to post Friday or Saturday so I can put up pictures of Henry's party :)

Related posts:
365 Days with Henry: My Favorites So Far
mARTch MADNESS Tournament Art Exhibit
Trash or Treasure? at the Toy & Miniature Museum (Event Pics)

Lawrence Lessig On the Problem with American Politics

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:35:00 +0000

I love this TED Talk by legal scholar Lawrence Lessig, because it explains a fundamental problem with how our nation functions.

(Click here to see embedded video)

Related posts:
We Need a New System of Economics
On BP's Oil Atrocity
Why Republicans Can't Admit Climate Change Is Real

Henry's First Easter

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 23:13:00 +0000

Day 357 of 365 Days with Henry

May's 1st Wedding Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:23:00 +0000

On our wedding day

This coming Sunday, Matt and I will be celebrating our very first wedding anniversary! It's amazing to think that only two weeks after we tied the knot, our little Henry came along to change our lives forever. I was so sure he was going to be coming weeks later!

On the day Henry was born

Happy Anniversary, darling! It's been a heck of a year! I'm so glad you've been by my side to hold my hand. :)

Related posts:
May & Matt Tie the Knot (Pics)
May Gives Birth
Henry's Homecoming

mARTch madness Begins & the Steampunk Art Exhibit Ends

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 01:11:00 +0000

mARTch madness officially opens tomorrow at the 1109 Gallery, but you can vote for your favorite piece of art online right now! Or you can vote, in person, at the gallery. (This one is mine, in case you were wondering.) The first elimination is Wednesday, March 27th, second round is Friday, March 29th, third round is Wednesday, April 3rd, and the final round will be Friday, April 5th. The winning entry in each pairing will be determined by a combination of juror panel rankings and popular vote (with ties decided by the jurors). They will be casting their ballots for the winner at the during the Final Round on April 5. And I will continue to keep you posted. :)

Meanwhile, the Steampunk Art Exhbit I've been part of for the last 2 months at the Teahouse & Coffeepot will be having its closing celebration this Saturday, March 30 from 2-5:30 PM. I'll be there at some point, though with Henry's wonky napping schedule, it's hard to say when, exactly. But this is your last chance to see some great Steampunk-themed pieces. I was happy to be exhibited with such an interesting mixture of art.

Related posts:
mARTch madness: Tournament Art Exhibit
Event Pics: Steampunk Art Exhibit
Coming This Saturday: Steampunk Art Exhibit

2 Must-Read Posts on Steubenville

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:58:00 +0000

Sorry about posting late; I got my days confused.

I thought about saying something about what happened in Steubenville and the subsequent media fallout, but after reading a couple of posts that said everything I thought and more, I decided to link you to them instead.

Lauren Nelson in "So You're Tired of Hearing About 'Rape Culture'?" examines how what happened in Steubenville is just one expression of a a systemic problem in our society.

Someone asked me today, “What is ‘rape culture’ anyway? I’m tired of hearing about it.” Yeah, I hear ya. I’m tired of talking about it. But I’m going to keep talking about it because people like you keep asking that question.

Rape culture is when a group of athletes rape a young girl, and though there are dozens of witnesses, no one says, “Stop.”

Rape culture is when a group of athletes rape a young girl, and though there are dozens of witnesses, they can’t get anyone to come forward.

Rape culture is when a group of athletes rape a young girl, and adults are informed of it, but no consequences are doled out because the boys “said nothing happened.”

Read the rest here.

Soraya Chemelay's response is "10 Small Changes You Can Make to Avoid Another Steubenville" which outlines individual actions that can collectively address what she calls "problems we face involving men with unchallenged power."

If you use the expression “boys will be boys,” think about why and what it means. Then STOP. Yes, boys and girls are different. I’ve got it. But, any two boys are as different from one another as “boys” are from “girls.” That expression reveals a myriad of beliefs related to gender essentialism, binaries, and stereotypes that lie at the root of sex-based hierarchies that subtly cultivate violence and the reduction of girls and women to the value of their reproductive potential. It’s commonly used to excuse behavior that is rude, entitled, and gender-privileged.

Read the rest here.

It is astounding and heart-breaking to me that these types of dialogues are still necessary. In no other violent crime is a victim mistreated by the media and society at large. Our culture will never truly flourish until it stops spending so much effort to keep half of its members living in fear of being brutalized, trivialized, mocked, or ignored for no other reason than physiology.

Related posts:
Self-Definition
Pregnancy Should Bring Life, Not Death
Why Breastfeeding Should Be Seen
Trans Persons Encounter "Injustice at Every Turn"

mARTch MADNESS: Tournament Art Exhibit

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:26:00 +0000

I'm excited to announce that I was one of 64 local artists selected to take part in the first annual "mARTch MADNESS" put on by the Lawrence Art Guild. From March 27 to April 5 the 1109 Gallery will display the competing artworks, separated into brackets, for the public to vote on. The winning entry will receive a solo exhibit a new Lawrence Creates Workshop space. The exhibit will open March 27, 5-9 PM. I'm submitting a mixed media piece from a goddess-themed series I recently completed. I'm interested to see how it's received. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. :)

Opening Tomorrow: Fernando Achucarro at the Zen Gallery in Art Closet Studios

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:13:00 +0000

I am extremely excited because my friend and local artist Fernando Achucarro has a new show opening tomorrow evening! I met Fernando at the Slap-n-Tickle Gallery several years ago and was immediately captivated with his work. It was especially interesting to talk to him and discover that his work was based off of legends from his home country Paraguay. They were stories I had never encountered before and Fernando's depictions seemed to leap off the page to grip your heart.

Fernando Achucarro at the Zen Gallery in Art Closet Studios will open tomorrow, Friday, March 15 at 6 PM - 9 PM. The show will only be open until Wednesday, March 20. It's a must see!

Related posts:
"Evolution of an Idea" Opens Tomorrow @ the Kiosk Gallery
Our Lady of Perpetual Beginnings at the Slap-N-Tickle
Small Painting / Morbid Art at the Kiosk Gallery & Art Closet Studios
Kiosk Gallery/Art Closet Studios' Third Friday

NASA Curiosity Finds More Evidence of Water, Probable Life

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 23:16:00 +0000

Curiosity self-portrait via NASA

I've been following the adventures of the Curiosity on Mars and the latest news is quite intriguing. According to the BBC's science correspondent Jonathan Amos, the Curiosity has found rock with clay materials - something that could only be formed in or near water.

The rover drilled a powdered sample from a mudstone at its exploration site in Gale Crater, a deep impact bowl on Mars' equator. This was delivered to the two big onboard laboratories, Sam and Chemin, for analysis. The rock sample was found to contain 20-30% smectite - a particular group of clay minerals. Their high abundance and the relative lack of salt are strongly suggestive of a fresh-water environment for the mudstone's formation.

The presence of calcium sulphates, rather than the magnesium or iron sulphates seen in previous rock analyses at other locations on the planet, adds to the evidence that the sampled rock in Gale was deposited in a neutral to mildly alkaline pH environment. Scientists think Curiosity probably drilled into an ancient lakebed.

The analysis also identified sulphur, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and carbon - some of the key chemical elements for life. Additionally, it found compounds in a range of oxidised states, meaning there were electrons moving through the environment. Those could have been co-opted as an energy source by simple life-forms, if they ever existed in Gale.

"What we've learned in the last 20 years of modern microbiology is that very primitive organisms - they can derive energy just by feeding on rocks," explained Prof Grotzinger. "Just like on [a] battery - you hook up the wires and it goes to a lightbulb and the lightbulb turns on. That's kind of what a micro-organism would have done in this environment, if life had ever evolved on Mars and it was present here."

The rover is assembling quite a catalogue of water evidence in the crater. Already, it has seen the remains of an ancient riverbed system, where water once flowed perhaps a metre deep and quite vigorously. The picture that seems to be emerging is one where sediments were transported downhill from the eroding crater rim into a network of streams that then flowed into the lake environment represented by mudstone. (Source)

You gotta love recent scientific discoveries! They keep proving that the mystics, dreamers, conspiracy theorists and weirdos were right about so many things. Bob Frissell, for instance, has been saying Mars was once a habitable planet for decades. I love that real life keeps mashing up "fact" and "fiction." And, yes, I know nothing conclusive has been found yet, but I figure it's only a matter of time.

Related posts:
NASA Gangnam Style
Man Takes Ice from Glacier, Rips Off Simpsons
A Game of Conspiracy
How Supernatural Is Like the X-Files

Trash or Treasure? at the Toy & Miniature Museum (Event Pics)

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 03:20:00 +0000

This was a one-night-only event at the Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City, starring the found-object assemblages of Just Colcord. They were so cute! It was a fun exhibit.

Related posts:
Event Pics: Steampunk Art Exhibit Opening Reception
Meditations Manifested (Show Pics)
Event Pics: Troost Art Hop (Jan 2012)

Harp Arrangements for Popular Songs

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 02:37:00 +0000

Image via Harp Twins

My brother sent me a link to the Harp Twins a couple days ago. They're twins who arrange popular songs for the harp. Their slogan: "When One of a Kind Just Isn't Enough." That makes me giggle, but I enjoy their arrangements regardless. Harps used to be my favorite instrument, before cellos beat them out.

You can find more videos on their website.

[If you're reading this in your e-mail and don't see any videos, please click through to the blog].

Related posts:
Painting Music for My Mom
Fa-La-La-La-La-La-La-La-La!
Q: What Do These Songs Have In Common?

Things To Read & Things To See

noreply@blogger.com (May) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:35:00 +0000

I'm gonna be lazy and just post once this week 'cause I'm not feeling so hot. Also, this is all going to be a bit random.

I hope everyone local is staying warm and comfy despite all this (awesome) snow. If you're looking for ways to pass the time, I suggest reading one or both of these articles:

If you weren't able to make it out to the Teahouse and Coffeepot to see the amazing Steampunk exhibit I'm part of, you'll be pleased to find out that it has been extended for another month. You now have until the end of March to check it out!

And, finally, Happy Birthday to my amazing partner-in-life, Matt! I love him even deeper and stronger after seeing what an incredible parent he is, and after he so lovingly cared for me when I was recovering from the c-section. I cannot imagine living without you, dearest, and I'm very glad you liked the painting I made for your present: