Jack and Cat Curio

Sick as a dog and more...

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Sick as a dog... the term conjures several images for me...

A nostalgic post of sorts....
I have been sick once again the last few days.
Food poisoning like no other.
"Food poisoning" is a term that gets thrown around alot.
Especially when people take a day off work.
Call in sick.
Its one of those excuses bosses hear and roll their eyes.
But in the last two days I received a
horrible reminder of what food poisoning is.
You forget.
Sometimes you get a reminder.
I was doubled over in a ball for two days.
Have you ever had the kind of sickness
that makes you reflect on your own lifestyle and bad habits?
You suddenly find yourself pleading to a higher power.
Please make it go away.
Just let me survive this and I promise to do more for my fellow man.
Oh great powers of earth? or God?
That was me the last two days.
If I live thru this -I promise never to eat another animal again in my life.
I will only eat twigs and berries. I will be a healthier, better, person.
Your so sick that you suddenly find religion.
Yes , I was that kind of sick.
My muscles are still recovering.
I know what your thinking..
"thanks for sharing" or "what a great catch up post".
I'm so glad to hear about your bad eating habits and illness ...
Your last post talked about dog feces.
Can't imagine what his next post might be about! Hmmm?
I know ...I'm thrilling.
Such is my life lately. During my illness.
The evil dogs went back from once they came.
My house has been cleaned.
Some of you have asked...Where did these demon dogs come from?
My mother... I was repaying a life debt. Something like that.
Lesley and I told my mom that we would watch
her darlings while she went on vacation.
My mom then booked a ten day vacation to
visit my rock star brother in Seattle.
Anywho.
Life is getting back to normal.
In the last two days in and out of fevers.
I had visions of Lesley doing battle with man size hairballs and dust bunnies.
These things were damn big.
We had dust bunnies the size of large pigs hiding in between door cracks
and taking refuge around base boards.
It reminded me of one summer......

When I was a kid my mom would trim the dogs at home in our kitchen.
I was always amazed at how much dog hair would be on the kitchen floor.
I was always thinking of a way to harness its power somehow.
So much hair. Such a waste? Or was it?
Growing up we usually had two Lhasa Apso dogs in the house.
That summer I was obsessed with old horror movies.
One of my favorite icons was " Lon Chaney Jr." the "Wolf Man".
I would spend hours looking at pics from the old movies.
One afternoon that summer my mom finished trimming the dogs.
I happened to be looking in the refrigerator
for some grand snack (as most kids often do).
When I looked over and saw the dog trimmings laying
in a nice swept pile on the kitchen floor.
The idea hit me in the head quicker than white trash to wonder bread.
I grabbed all the dog trimmings from off the floor.
Took off into the bathroom armed with a
pair of scissors and a bottle of Elmer's white glue.
I began to glue pieces of dog fur to my face.
I was trying to recreate the same makeup effect as "Lon Chaney Jr".
In my young mind it seemed as logical as anything else.
About ten minutes into it and about 90% coverage to my face.
I discovered small amounts of dog crap in the trimmings.
This really grossed me out.
That some of the dog fur I was pasting to my face contained traces of dogshit.
It really made me freak.
Plus the white glue and fur was having trouble sticking and began to
slide into this cluster of a beard and moustache around my mouth.
I also began to brake out in huge red hives across my face.
However even with these obstacles I pressed on.
I decided that Lon Chaney Jr was probably uncomfortable as well.
They said so.
Its the price you pay for theatrics.
I just wanted to get it good enough for one perfect Polaroid.
That was the goal.
One celebrated pic would make it all worth wild.
After about ten more minutes of struggle.
I completed my masterpiece makeup job.
I had succeeded in gluing clumps of dog hair all
over my hands, chest, and all over my face.
I couldn't wait to show everyone my monstrous transformation.
How I had turned myself from "Star Wars" bed spread boy to young wolf beast.
I exploded out of the bathroom with a howl ready to unleash my
animalistic surprise on my family.
Only to find the majority of my siblings had gone to the store with my step dad.
My mother was on the phone with a friend.
At first she gave a laugh.
Then rolled her eyes. Then looked confused.
Then signaled for me to go away.
I needed a bigger target.
I decided to hunt for my old sister for a better response.
Once found, I decided it best to try to scare her.
I received an angry punch in the stomach and was called
such names as "Harry Palms" and "Harry the Howler".
She also kept pointing out that I had
chunks of crap in my makeup.
This was not the response I was hoping for.
Then I went hunting for the camera.
Only to be sadly disappointed again.
No film.
At this point the glue hair mixture was
quickly melting down around and into my mouth.
My skin under the mixture was burning and itching uncontrollably.
I had no choice. I was forced to remove my gluey concoction of my face.
It would not come off so easy.
It stuck to my eyebrows, my hair, it was in my nose.
My skin swelled and puffed.
At this frustrating moment-I did however find compassion for
a person who I had committed a mean act upon the year before.
It happened at a sleepover at Mikey G's house.
We played a mean practical joke on Martin J.
Due to the fact that Martin J. was the first to fall asleep at the party.
My friends and I had decided to fill one of his ears up with Elmer's glue.
At the time we thought this to be the funniest most clever thing in the world.
I believed we laughed until our sides hurt.
All the while Martin J never heard us.
Because his ear that was exposed to us was filled with glue
making the situation that more hilarious for us.
However we all awoke in our sleeping bags
covered in vomit the next morning.
Because Martin J. got so ill during the night.
We were told by all later that "glue ear" is extremely serious.
Its a real term.
While others got very much in trouble for that one.
I somehow managed to get out unscathed
with no punishment (my parents never found out).
Karma does play out in certain ways.
Martin J got his revenge on all of us a year later.
That's a tale of urine and lemonade.
The games young boys play.
So grand.

However I'm glad that I wasn't in attendance when Martin J.
lost his pinky in a Cuisine Art.
I heard about that one for years.
Martin J.was also the neighborhood kid
who supposedly lost a finger in a sewer.
It was told on the playground that he lost the tip of his right index finger
while attempting to lift a manhole cover.
He stuck his fingers in the holes of a manhole lid in attempts to lift it.
He was trying to retrieve a lost Star Wars action figure.
"Yoda" or perhaps a "Jawa" it was rumored.
While turning his finger in a circular motion in the hole
he severed the top of his right index finger.
I heard that they found his "figure" but not his finger.
We liked having Martin J. around because he was the the type of kid that
had done it all (or could be talked into it).
He was like our "walking Handbook of Dares and Dont's".
For as easy as Martin J was to entice into a bad idea or dare.
I don't believe he ever willingly glued dog fur with chunks of crap onto his face.
I had the taste of wet dog fur with a
smidge of crap in my mouth for weeks after that.
Such is youth...
Talk soon.

Happy 4th of July!

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:41:00 +0000

Happy Belated 4th of July!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Here are a few old time images that come to mind.

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:52:00 +0000

I have guests..... very bad guests.... Yes. I have guests.
They have been here at our home since Friday.
They will be with us til next Monday.
Evil does have a face... and a name... it does come in certain packages.
So far they have terrorized the other members of the home.
They eat any food they find. They take our clothes and do odd things with them.
They put half chewed lizards in our bed. They stay up late making loud noises.
They rudely wake me up early in the morning.
They also pass gas a lot. Unnaturally so...
They also pee and shit all over the house.
There must me something wrong with their food!
In the last few days my life consists of inspecting different resins.
Comparing the differences between clear
adhesives, epoxies, lacquers, and glazes.
Catering to a cranky fifteen year old. Having heat rash.
Cranky clients. High summer temps.
A house filled with a crazed cat and three farting and shitting dogs.
Filling bones with peanut butter and repairing broken birdhouses.
So if I have not responded to your email in the last day or two,
it is most likely that I'm cleaning up dog shit,
removing lizards from my bed, saving my cat,
or trying to mend the health of three dogs.
But life is all good.
Seriously.

Roadtrips,Textures, Classes, and Sleep.

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:09:00 +0000

Roadtrips,Textures, Classes, and Sleep.

That about covers it all lately.
Packed last weekend hard.

My new self portrait. Needed a new profile pic.

So when last we spoke I was getting over a cold.
Trying to finish several projects.
Planning for a few events.
Spending a huge amount of the day time finishing design jobs and spending
the late nights in studio mode. Or vice versa.
Not much has changed with any of that. Its a never ending cycle so it seems.
Strapped my roller skates on - and have been gliding fast and furious.
Any extra time I get. I spend with my lady.
I have alot to blog about. I will post like a madman on Sunday.
I have new classes to talk about, collage sheets to share, and tutorials to post.
I will try to get it all up this weekend. My big goal.
I'm working on a new blog/ website.
The ultimate set up for us.
You have probably noticed several changes here in the last few weeks.
More coming. I can never leave things the same for too long.
Habit.
Comes with moving so much as a kid.
I needed to touch base. Back to the hustle.
I have a grand class coming up tomorrow at Mystic Paper.
Utee and beeswax.
A class filled with hot pots.
Plus lots of Graphic 45.
Attached are pics. Here is a quick photo look of things lately.
Textures and day trips. Finished projects. New classes. This weekends class.
Talk soon all.

I know boring for some... but I love old rusty things.

Textures, textures, textures.

Class this weekend.

Utee and beeswax.

New classes coming soon.

It makes me laugh!

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:04:00 +0000

A friend just sent this to us. It made me laugh. I just kept watching it!

Artman hustle....

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Artman hustle......

That's what I'm doing this morning. Running on a few hours sleep. Three I think. Had the flu somethin wicked yesterday and the touch the day before.
Knocked me on my ass.
But then I'm a guy ... we make things over the
top when we get sick-so melodramatic.
So anywho.... behind...
Lately with the economy ...
I have had to search out clients a little more for bigger design jobs.
I'm job searching full time now.
The freelance design options are moving a touch slow this month.
Need to join a big house.
Art house that is.
Also putting myself back in the classroom teaching again.
Hence my blog went scattered the last week.
Expect a little more of that.
Time is tight. So is money.

This morning I'm trying to finish several pieces for
classroom examples for a few folks.
I have a class coming up in a week at Mystic- Utee and beeswax.
Trying to put up two new examples for that class.
Also finishing a few Paris Beeswax boards.
A few special "Etsy" orders.
My floors are filled with projects today.
Today is a beeswax crazy day.
Hence the artman hustle reference.
Need to finish all these pieces in the next few- get them out.
Then need to finish some design jobs. Nuthin like web code.
Then out the door.
If you have not heard back from me in a few. I will be checking in with ya shortly.
Also I need to visit my sista for her birthday!
Here are some shots of projects waiting to be finished.
I will post a few before and after shots later tonight.
Talk soon all.
Class example Utee and Beeswax/ Graphic 45

New projects & more.......

Paris pieces.... Almost done...
My resin lab and work desk.

Where have we been?

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:18:00 +0000

Where Have We been?

Lost in the studio.
Totally lost.
Also I took a spin in cyber space ... fixing many a glitch for many a client.
It seems to be the week of computer problems.

So the blog has a new look.....trying a few things.
Would love any feedback.
Do folks like the "read more" type option?
Is the blog loading way slow for folks? Let me know...

The music? I know its a love hate for most of you.
This week you have a summer "surf n turf" mix
with a touch of hillbilly thrown in.
Fried chicken & snack crackers on
the beach- while wearing pointy boots.
Makes me hungry this morning.
I might take a spin into Phoenix for
some Lolo's Chicken & Waffles this morning.
We don't have many soul food restaurants here in town.
But the ones that we do - are damn fine.

So this has been a wild week of this and that.
Last weekend I taught a fine beeswax class to a talented group of ladies.
I couldn't speak worth a damn.
However they were quite kind and made some fab pieces.
Anyone ever have those days where your mouth
just doesn't work with your brain?
I sounded like the adult character out of a Charlie Brown cartoon.
Cool class.

Anywho... so here are my "art a day" submissions for the last week.
I have gone resin crazy.
Been mixin and playin with resin for the last two weeks.
Its a great partner for the Amate Studios product.
I think my neighbors might be worried that I might be a meth lab...
when you look in to my studio from the street... you see me pouring
and mixing all types of bottles.
I have several fans going... all my windows open... music up on full.
Good times.
Need good ventilation for resin.
Plus I do a little soldering in between.

I will also start posting my directions for
my submission pieces for Amate here on the blog for all.

This week I missed another get together with the Fearsome Four.
Next week ladies. I will be hunting you all down soon.

However this week
I was able to play and create with the
very talented Giuseppina "Josie" Cirincione.
We had a little craft circle of our own this week and traded a few techniques.
What I love about Josie is the "no bullshit" factor.
She is a no "bobble" head kinda girl.

The girl is too damn clever- no wasted material,
everything has a purpose, well thought out methods.
I like clever.
I like clever and I like soul.
She has both.
Had a great time.
Thanks Josie!

So that's the news. Looking to get some samples done for more classes.
Looking for some sort of adventure this weekend.
Also sleep. I need sleep.
I also need a good book.

We also had a death in the family this week.
My thoughts are with those family members.

Here are the pics of some of our resin pieces...
Talk soon all.

Grandmother's Woods Beeswax Class Tomorrow

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Beeswax Class Tomorrow! Damn fine class! Tomorrow morning!

A goodie.
A dark meat class to be sure....
Meaning I love to do pieces with a little darker flavor.
I like those that sometimes prefer
the "dark chocolate" over say "white with nuts".
We can always find vanilla.... but a good, dark, rich layered delicacy?
Don't get me wrong. Vanilla is the base for all.
Its a starting point. A damn good one.
But like life.... once born... how the story will end is up to you.
A starting point ... blank page waiting to be layered
Wanting to be filled with a good solid story of
romance, adventure, passion, and grand desires.
Laughter, sadness, depression, joy.

So class tomorrow.....

At Mystic Paper in Mesa.
Beeswax Collage or encaustic delving for others...
Here are a few pics of the various forms of the project.
This class includes a touch of soldering.
More than a dab of distress ink technique.
A touch of back story layering.
A smidge of alcohol ink technique and skill.
Some crackle and ageing.

Good music, good stories, and an incredibly fast paced four hours.

Also after my class is my good friend Josie Cirincione.
Here is a peek at Josie's project for tomorrow.
If you have ever wanted to learn soldering.
This is the class!
I love Josie as an artist and a person.
If you have never picked up one of her books... you should.

So anywho..
If you want a mini art retreat. Tomorrow is the day.
Sorry about the late notice.
Hope to see you!

If you are coming to my class- you need to bring nothing but yourself.
I will have all supplies, tools, and goodies.
If you would like to bring any photos of your own to use-
I suggest printing them up on heavy cardstock.
Nothing with a high gloss or fax paper.
Feel free to bring any charms, ephemera, and any kind of fiber....
If you have a question about class.....
You can email me at jackandcatcurio@gmail.com.

Talk soon,
Mike

Holy Cow! Poker Games and Grifting!

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:24:00 +0000

So.... I have been meaning to post this for a bit.
Remember that Friday art group I was hanging with.
We will call them the "Fearsome Four".
Four ladies with a whole lot a talent.
Everyone needs an art group. Any artist that is...
Its like a poker group. I don't do sports groups.
I did do poker groups.
I don't do poker anymore- I cheat.
It started with family. Bad influence on my younger brother.
He took it to the next level.
My youngest brother is a bit of a "flim flam man".
( Damn good movie with George C Scott) A card shark.
Spent to much time in Vegas. Got in over his head.
He received a razor to a nipple from a bad card game.
Long story... don't get caught cheating at cards.
So I stay away from cards.
I don't cheat at cards because I like to be dishonest.
Its just because I watched the movie the "Sting" to many times as a kid.
I fell in love with the idea of being a grifter.
The fantasy of something is never quite like the reality.
So I turned towards art and theater.
He turned his talents to Hollywood.
Acting and producing. You need a touch of grift in Hollywood.
I can only take small weekend visits with the LA branch of my family.
Guaranteed to take part in some odd and weird.
Plus a lot of walking bullshit in Hollywood.
I hate young actors.
I used to be one. Now I'm bitter and seasoned.
Can't stand a green actor with perkiness.
Its like having a walking "Keebler" cookie elf dancing around
you with jazz hands- talking social theater causes.

I'm rambling. So I turned towards art and theater.
Art groups instead of midnight poker runs.
I live longer.
It might be different if this art group currently
smoked cigars and drank whiskey at ten in the morning,
while listening to Frankie Avalon tunes
prepping to paint paper mache cows.

But that's not them.

Unless they are taking it slow with me.
Note to self.... Frankie Avalon... Rambling again.
Cows-we made cows a few weeks ago. The group has since finished.
I had to share Chia's cow- she took it from the right and turned it way left.
She did a steam punk twist on it.
I thought that I would also define steampunk for you.
Some have asked about it lately.
Here are a few pics of Chia's work and a few definitions from Wiki!

Steampunk: is a sub-genre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century, and often Victorian era England—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date. The most immediate form of steampunk subculture is the community of fans surrounding the genre. Some move beyond this, adopting a "steampunk aesthetic" through fashion, home decor, and music. This movement may also be described as "Neo-Victorianism", which is the amalgamation of Victorian aesthetic principles with modern sensibilities and technologies.^]Other have proposed a steampunk philosophy,
sometimes with punk-inspired anti-establishment sentiments,
and typically bolstered by optimism about human potential.

The before...

The after...
All steamed.... and ready.

Bohemian Bliss Soiree & More.....

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Wed, 27 May 2009 06:43:00 +0000

Been gone from the blog for awhile.

Sorry folks.
Trying to get back... things stacked up on me.
A few new changes to the blog.
Trying some new code and things-computer nerd talk.
Last time I posted I was on my way to the
"Bohemian Bliss Soiree & Vintage Market" thrown by
the talented duo of Dan and Kristin Alber.
Kristin is the owner of "Blissful Living Studio"
and "Domestic Bliss" here in town.
A must stop for all with curio style desires and hip cat like design passions.
Everytime I enter the store it reminds me how I want to live my life.
I want to surround myself with "grand and pretty things".
Yes I said "grand and pretty things"!
I want to pack the entire store into that shabby art cave I call a home.
Someday... perhaps when I can spell my name like M!ke in my blog.
Then I will be able to live my life like a NICK Drake car commercial.
Wear dandy clothes, host secret crafting holiday parties,
have the best house on the block during Halloween,
and home school all my children.
Until then..... shabby, hand made goodies and decor of
my own making it will need to be.
NO kids yet. Just unkept animals in my house.
Cute, bad mannered animals that take over my bed at night.
Anyway... we had an invite to attend from
a good and charming friend Diva Tricia from Vintage Bliss.
Who looked quite grand and had a damn cute booth set up.
The event had great atmosphere- a perfect Americana summer night!

Caught up with a few good friends- some truly big hearted folks!

Good to see a few old faces and some new.
Would have had a few great shots of folks and the like-
but my camera suffered a quiet tantrum.

Oh yes- we got dressed up for the event....

Here are a few pics...

A big "Thanks" to the charming Laura Ingalls Gunn
for this pic of Lesley and I!

New colors and more...beeswax collage

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Sun, 17 May 2009 04:20:00 +0000

New colors and more...beeswax collage..

Summer colors as discussed...
A quick mosaic of some of the pieces.
Looks good.
Reminds me of "Skittles".

All about the fun!

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:50:00 +0000

A great way to kick off the summer.

Can't wait.
Still working on my costume.
If your local and in town....you should check it out!

If you go... you might not be able to find me.
I might be in drag, wear a swag, or just a checkered flag!
For more info: Bohemian Bliss Soiree

Post photos and more this weekend.

Eye candy folks.
Its all about eye candy.
I can never turn down an invite for artistic eye candy.

Amate Studios- Design Projects & More

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Remember this?

Each month new project ideas will be posted on the Amate Studios Website.
Directions and all...
Check it out...
Enjoy.

Also as long as I'm posting... I promised a very cool tutorial for this week.
This tutorial was recommended to me by the good folks at Amate Studios.
It's a great resin tutorial. Lots of info and great set up.
Its by digital artist Jon W. Golden who makes some faboo rings.
Here is a link to his Etsy Store!

If you like the tutorial- and your local... you can find all these main supplies at Mystic Paper!

No posts? New colors! New Beeswax!

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:42:00 +0000

Ok I'm back.
I missed a day and then some....
My modem conked out. No Internet for a day.
What was I going to do with myself?
I had Facebook withdrawals, email worries, and blogging breakdown.

So I locked myself in the studio for several hours....
I bees waxed my little heart out.
Lesley and I have discussed changing the color palette for the summer work.
Lately we have been toying with the new Claudine Hellmuth Studio paints.
Love her color palette choices.
The best.
Also I have been meaning to dabble with the new alcohol inks.
So combine the two with a few new beeswax techniques.
What do you get?
Damn cool beeswax pieces.
I know that we may loose a few- we will gain a few.
Don't worry... we still love dark meat. Gothic touch, etc....
Here is a peek. I will post more on Flickr later. Perhaps a class.
Need to restock our Etsy.
I have promised a few people certain pieces for awhile now.

Todays Notes....

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:17:00 +0000

School is done.
No more for awhile....
Today- Studio time.
Need to lock myself in the studio. Need to finish some pieces.
Work on some jewelry. New beeswax colors- yes colors.
Going for a fresh summer look. I''l show you later tonight.
Working on a few class samples. Need to replenish the Etsy store.
So I will talk more later tonight. Will also post a very cool resin video tutorial.
One that I received from the good people of Amate Studios. Very cool.
Also will be posting about a big party and event that
will be taking place this weekend.
Talk soon.
Hope y'all have a great day.
Turn up the tunes and away into the studio I go...

One more thing- just remembered.
I have received several emails from folks.......
about a post I did last Wednesday.
I made mention of:
"bloodsucker types"... people that drain the life out of you.

Some of the emails I received:

Asked about my current state of mental health- burnt out etc.

Some people took offense- thought I was talking about them.

Others just became confused-thought that I was being
mean to people who can't afford good clothes.
Just want to touch base with you all.

I'm fine and healthy in the mental department... or so I think.

If you took offense and thought I was talking
about you... rest assured you are most likely not a bloodsucker.

People with bad clothes- just a bad joke....

Blood sucker types. Let me define.
Then people can do a self assessment. Clear up some confusion.

blood·suck·er (bldskr)

1. An animal, such as a leech, that sucks blood.

2. An extortionist or a blackmailer.

3. A person who is intrusively or overly dependent upon another; a parasite.

So here we go...
Number 1-This does not work for most of you due to dietary needs.
I think you are all OK.
Except for a few new Facebookers I know.
I'll see you in "Vampire Wars" tonight.

Number 2-I really don't gamble much anymore...
I don't really spend time at the tracks.
I only have one student who is currently holding some explicit pictures of
me in exchange for a beeswax canvas. So most of you are good.

Number 3- Ah yes. The parasite person.
The one who takes, takes, and takes, but never gives back.
That's the kind of person I was talking about.
I don't know many- because I do not encourage such relationships.
I try not to foster such relations.
So if you read my blog- chances are- you are not a blood sucker.
If you have an email correspondence
with me... you are not a bloodsucker.
If I have coffee with you.. you are not a blood sucker.

But if you frequent scrapbook stores, and art stores,
and copy other ideas from people. ( Like hardcore faith)
Never putting your own personal twist and spin on something.
If you never voice your own opinions.
If you constantly ask others to do something for you.
If you never give out a kind word, a gift, a thank you.
If you always complain about how bad your life is
-and then do nothing about it.
If you talk about yourself all the time.
If you never encourage others.
If you are always taking but never giving!
If you wear a black cape and have plastic teeth.
If little children run away from you
Then "yes" you are a blood sucker.

Then change your ways.

Side note- I'm not mad or upset with anyone... I just received a lot of feedback on that.
When I decide to raise a "ruckus" about something--- you'll know...trust me.

Take care everyone.
Talk to you soon.
-Mike

Art A Day - "The Tell"

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:12:00 +0000

This one was inspired by that
old time circus/ magician vibe...not sure if I caught it.
Was thinkin a dark tale. Its titled " The Tell"
Talk soon.
-Mike

Images for Inspiration This Week....

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:33:00 +0000

To go back in time.... I would love to be an old vaudeville actor/ comedian.
Hit the American stage about 1874 would be perfect. Or perhaps 1900-1920.
Love old vaudeville, magicians, and the good old American circus.

Art A Day

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Discipline & workflow!
That's what its about.
Need to make a piece every day.
One of the many things I'm working on.
Here is the art a day for Sat & Sun.
Missed the posts.
Two digital pieces - keeping practice with layers in photoshop.
You don't use it- you loose it.
Talk soon!

Almost forgot- Thanks Beth for this inspiration! We love ya!

Friday-Art Circles, Altered Art, & Ghosts!

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Morning!

I have a couple posts for today.
Last Friday! What a day!
Crafting and "shop talk" all day.
Great day.
A day filled with conversation, friends, inspiring ideas, and lots of art.
My Friday started with an invite to sit in with a certain
sassy, artistic, group of ladies here in town.
This is a group of ladies who I have had the pleasure of meeting several times.
Traded a few emails, shared a quick make n take with , ATC trades, etc.
But never really had the pleasure of sitting and creating with.
So on Friday I had the opportunity.
Our project that morning?
Paper Mache Bulls.
At first the prospect of tackling the bull by the horns- threw me for a loop.
How was I going to alter it?
Or "goth" out a paper mache bull to my fancy?
Then I remembered a technique that I quite liked
a few months ago on paper mache.
Metal tape.
I like the distressed, metallic look of it on paper mache.
Wrap it, sand it, texture it, paint it , age it.
I like the look.
What I like about art circles, or art gatherings of any sort.
Is the direction and personal style everybody takes with their own piece.

Hers's some pics stolen from Chia's blog of our bulls.

Thank you Chris, Billie, and Chia!
Loved hanging with ya!!

After that! I was off to Mystic Paper to set up and prep for LAASING.
( LAASING -Late Afternoon Altered Art Social Intimate Network Gathering)
A night of altered art technique, projects, and shop talk.
Six of us gathered in the Mystic Paper classroom
for several hours on Friday night.
Topics discussed:
everyday life, copyright, Diamond Glaze, UTEE, blogging and Etsy shops.
In between conversation we had some time to dabble with UTEE.

Then we ended the night with a few good old ghost stories and lots of laughs.
The plan is to get together next month at the same time.
So keep your eyes open.
We have also discussed getting together
the Thursday before the meet for an infamous "Junk Tour."
Can't wait!

Thanks- Kim H, Sherry, Cassy and Donna!
Lesley and I had a great time!

Rude BoyJava Mix- Needed a touch of reggae

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Sat, 09 May 2009 16:44:00 +0000

So I will post later today.
This morning I needed a touch of reggae.
So I changed the music player.
Feeling nice and mellow this morning.
The sun is bright and hot.
Nothing better than a sunny Saturday morning.
With good tunes and people you love.
Enjoy.
Talk soon.

Art A Day- Self Discipilne

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:55:00 +0000

Ok kids- here we go....
Many of you know that for the last
two years I have gone back to school.
My schedule has been hectic.
Trying to get projects done has been sometimes difficult.
Journal times have been nonexistent.
My blogging did the same thing for awhile.
We went MIA for several moths .
We are back and with a vengeance.
One of the many things that I have vowed would
be done once school was finished was daily journals and artwork.
So here we go.
Today's art piece is a Photoshop collage piece.
Mainly created by working a vintage public domain pic
and one of my recent beeswax pieces.
I wanted a romantic image on a strong textured background.

Here are the two pics.

Then with some layer work.
A little smudge and erasing. I got what I wanted.
It has no title currently. If you have a suggestion please let me know.
Talk soon
-Mike

LAAASING! Say what?

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:02:00 +0000

LAASING
Late Afternoon Altered Art Social Intimate Network Gathering

Its alot...... I know.
The name came from my good friend Jennifer at Mystic Paper.
A few weeks ago...
I ran into my wood cutting sassy artist friend Kim Hesson at Mystic Paper.
The thing that I find magical ( yes magical), scary, and yet very
comforting is that when I get together with Kim Hesson.
My artistic brain goes into full babble, shop talk mode. Non stop.
We can start talking and before I know it -four hours have passed.
I leave with my head filled with ideas, new methods, and inspiration.
Nothin better. I'm a strong believer in art circles, writing groups, workshops.
Everytime people get together its an exchange or collision.
A exchange of ideas, confidence, and energy.

Sometime this can be negative.
The blood sucker types.
They will suck the life out of you!
Be weary of them.
You can usually see them coming.

They walk slow and wear bad clothes.

Bad joke.

My favorite example-
Teachers. They get drained all the time.
When I taught public school and youth programs .
Nothing like it- kids, parents, teachers- asking, pulling, needing.
Every exchange- you give a piece of yourself mentally an physically.
The end of the day you are drained.
An average teacher will usually have contact
with an easy two hundred people a day.
Thats alot of human contact and exchange.
Compared to an office job isolated most of the day.
How many people do you see in a day? Think about it?

Most teachers turn towards food at the end of the day to replenish- I did.
A crazy summer camp or semester - I would gain an easy twenty pounds.

Anywho- you get my point.
So.... Kim ad I started talking about crop nights and the like.
Before we knew it -we started talking
about different methods for mixed media.
Then we thought the idea of starting a once
a month altered art/ mixed media night would be really cool.

The idea- "Hey I do art, you do art, my dads got a barn- lets have a gallery".

Kinda thing......Not really.... might have lost you on that last one.

Anywho... we decided to craft and make cool stuff together.
Then we decided to meet at Mystic Paper.
Nothing better than crafting in a funky, spunky, artistic classroom,
with a ghost or two.
Woops did I say that?... I think I was banned from talking about that.
Note to self -no more ghost talk at Mystic.
Maybe....
So anywho... Tomorrow night is our first get together...

I'm bringing some pendants, trays, and resin to play with.
So if you ever wanted to explore that technique...
I' be mixing the two part resin like Kool Aid- "Oh Yeah"!
If you know the reference.
A few shadow boxes.
Finishing a few rusty tins. Maybe bring a few goodies to trade.
Plus my classroom suitcase of old and random images to pull from.

An afternoon and late night of pizza, creating, shop talk,
and perhaps a ghost or two.
See ya if ya can make it!

"LAAASING!"
at
Mystic Paper
Mesa, Az.
$15
4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Friday, May 8th.
Do you have altered projects that you don't feel are complete~ or may need that little bit of something extra that you just can't put your finger on? This will be a great gathering for all levels. This is your opportunity to come in and work on your different altered projects and be able to have some of our teachers input and help. Or just hang out and chat for the evening! Call to reserve your spot, space is very limited.

Beeswax Collage Tutorial

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:55:00 +0000

Beeswax Post!

Tutorial or technique every Wednesday.
A few tips, a little shop talk, a video tutorial or two,
a little beeswax gallery show.
Share things that have worked, and some things that have not.
What you need to keep in mind.
When watching and trading methods.
What you need to do- take what you want from any class,
tutorial, tip, etc- then throw away what you consider to be crap.
Use common sense.
Don't do what you feel is not safe or good for you.
There is alot of misinformed crap out there in "youtube" land.
Your job- to be inspired by some of what you see. Not duped.
Meaning-just because someone has a video
camera- and posts a video tutorial online.
Does not mean they are an experienced instructor looking after your safety.

#1 rule for any artist, or designer- always be taking classes, keep learning.

The more you learn-the better your storytelling will become. In all mediums.

Also learn the method or process.
Then put your own spin on it.
You are not here to emulate someone else's work (copycat)- but to learn
the process and then weave your own experiences and voice into that process.

The tips I share work for me-it is my view-
sometimes shared with others- sometimes not.
But if you like my results- then go with it!

Because I'm damn tired tonight. A long day of many things.
I'm throwing up a video tutorial. A damn good one.

A beeswaxy friend of mine.

In the last year I have seen this woman
wrestle every artistic way that beeswax can go.
The other day on her blog she got out her flame torch and her shellac.
A nasty smelling studio process for sure.
But the results fantastic.

At Ranger U she knocked my socks off with her

buzzing energy and her Jersey ways!

I believe she did one of the best beeswax video tutorials to be found.
So enjoy. She covers several great techniques.
Mold making with beeswax is one of my personal favorites.

Here is "Buzzing with Beeswax" with Suze Weinberg.
Also check out more beeswax links on the right sidebar.

I hope that you go and give some of these techniques a try.

Cowgirls, Crafting, and Collage

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:46:00 +0000

I mentioned a post about LAAASING.
It's coming I promise.
I just finished a big school project. School is almost done.
Finals this week and next!
That's why many- have not seen- nor heard from me lately.
But at the moment - I need to get away from the
computer and any tech related obligations.
But before I go into the studio, and lock myself away into projects.
I know that many friends have begun working on cowgirl related projects!
So I thought that I would drop a few inspirational images.
Have fun.

New Website, Amate Studios, Junk Tour, and something called "LAAASING"!.

jackandcatcurio@gmail.com (Jack and Cat Curio) — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:53:00 +0000

Here is a full post of goodies.

So I have made a few changes.
A new website For Jack & Cat Curio has been posted.
Let me know your thoughts. If you know me... you will know
that I'm always on the tech lookout for easy friendly tech programs
for my students, friends , and family.
Not everyone likes to sit and code their own sites or widgets.
I stumbled across this flash program for websites.
Flash= animation or movement goodies.
So far I like the site. No hassle.
Its free. With pay upgrades. So check it out.
Especially if your looking for a quick cost effective way to promote and share.

Our new website:

Jackandcatcurio.com

Also the flash website mentioned is: wix.com.

Also I have added a links beeswax section
for my fellow beeswax students and friends.
Linked are a few sites that I have made reference about in classes.
I was able to dedicate some time to the blog this weekend.
Also posted updates for class listings.
More will be forthcoming.
Especially in the month of August.
This August will be a crazy month here in Arizona.
Art Unraveled will be from August 4-11th.
Then Creative Escape
will be held from August 27-29th.
This town will be filled with fantastic classes and workshops.

Arizona is already a hotbed for altered art/ mixed media/ scrapbooking talent.

Why... it was just the other day.
I was called over to Mystic Paper to meet two
local charming artistic personalities.
One of these ladies I had the pleasure of already knowing.
The other I had heard about-but never met.
Both can be found in this month's Somerset Studio.
Who did I meet?
Carlene Federer and Becky Bunn.

Both are very inspiring and sassy as hell.
Qualities Lesley and I admire greatly!
Thanks for the shop talk and good convo ladies!

Carlene, myself (aka Ranger Mike), Becky

Speaking of talent.
I found out more about the Amate Studio Design Team.
A great collection of talented artists.
I'm glad to be part of such an inspirational group.
Below is a list of the chosen team members.
Congratulations all!
You can find bios and more at Amate Studios.

Susan Johnson
Terry Ricioli
Sam Katz
Michal Rainsbarger
Lacy Carrall
Kelley Lohr
Deborah Anton
Cheryl Ball

One more thing to mention......
something I'm planning and working on
for the end of the work week.
A tease..... a small tease.... I will post more about it tonight.
I will leave you with a few words....
Junk Tour...... LAAASING..... Mystic Paper....
Miss Alayneeha... Hmmmm...
More tonight... I promise. It might be late tonight.
But it will be tonight.
Talk soon.
-Mike