Posting in my blog is like writing in my journal. I am always amazed at how long ago my last entry was. As always, there is a lot to catch up on and I don't know where to start. I suppose I should begin with when I stopped painting and started crafting. I always thought crafting was for the talentless and unemployed. Turns out, I was half wrong. It takes tons of talent to make crafts look arty and not like a blob of shit. And, while I am technically unemployed I am definitely busy making sure my two year old boy doesn't kill the cat, wander into traffic or swallow magnets. I am also working on our family business (www.SecretCompassCollectibles.com) and organizing our Bed and Breakfast/Wedding venue (www.OhanaValley.com). phew, I am exhausted just writing that.
So during kiddo's nap time, I have discovered how much crafting is really possible.
I started with decorating and painting desks. My first desk was a cute little secretary desk with a writer's theme. I gave this desk away to a friend and forgot to get pictures of it. Typical.

My second project was bath products. Bath bombs shaped like cupcakes and sugar scrubs. I made some money at it at a fair and then sort of lost my passion for it. Unless someone makes an order on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/RachelsArt) hint hint.

My third adventure has been refurbishing lighting into awesome chandeliers. These turned out to be way more tedious than I first anticipated. However, the transformation is really cool. I like them. The hardest part seems to be taking a decent picture of them. So once I do, I will edit this and add it in. This is the draft/beginning stages of the one I am finished with now. I will post a finished pic soon.
This was the first draft

Final Product:

So all this crafting has inspired me to paint again, somewhat. My newest painting is this "Showgirl" and can now be purchased at Etsy HERE. This is all for now my friends. Take care and write soon.

Vintage Wallpaper = Obsession

I found some vintage wallpaper and have been obsessed. I am making paintings on them, wrapping outlets with them and pasting them on everything I can find. Here are my newest creations. I am going to start an Etsy shop with the outlet covers. Stay tuned for that announcement. Until then, I will be getting my fingers sticky with glue.

A Bird in Two Hands
I'm Horny.

Where's my Peeps?

I will be participating in the Summer Art Market in Denver this weekend! Come by and visit me in BOOTH #3.

Below is a special sneak preview of some of the work I will have at the show:

Spring

In anticipation of spring, I painted this little number. I believe I already have a buyer for the original, but I will be making prints if you are interested in having a bit o spring in your home. Stay tuned as I will be painting more of these spring themed gems!

Love thy Barber

Painting in progress for an upcoming show called Love thy Barber at Scissors and Sinners barbershop. The show is on Saturday Jan. 30.
112 East Laurel.
I would love to see you there. You can see this painting in it's final stage and other artwork by
Lou DeAngelis, Mike Gallegos, Gus Espinoza, Ben Merrell, Zeke Derderian, Erick Erickson, Diego Griego, Curtis Burgess, Phil Guzy, Tattoo John, Ken Burgess, and George Menning.

I was given this history of the barber and based this painting on the following:
The barbers of former times were also surgeons and dentists. In addition to hair cutting, hairdressing, and shaving, barbers performed surgery, bloodletting and leeching, fire cupping, enemas, and the extraction of teeth. Thus they were called barber surgeons, and they formed their first organization in 1094. The barber pole red and white in spiral indicated the two crafts, surgery in red and barbering in white. The barber was paid higher than the surgeon until surgeons were entered into British war ships during its many naval wars. Some of the duties of the barber included neck manipulation, cleaning of ears and scalp, draining of boils, fistula and lancing of cysts with wicks.

History of the Barber Pole

The modern barber pole originated in the days when bloodletting was one of the principal duties of the barber. The two spiral ribbons painted around the pole represent the two long bandages, one twisted around the arm before bleeding and the other used to bind is afterward. Originally, when not in use, the pole with a bandage wound around it, so that both might be together when needed, was hung at the door as a sign. But later, for convenience, instead of hanging out the original pole, another one was painted in imitation of it and given a permanent place on the outside of the shop. This was the beginning of the modern barber pole.

Plantings and Pansies

My newest painting has taken way longer than expected, but with acceptable results. I started this painting at the beginning of the planting season and now my plants are not seedlings anymore. Oh, they grow up so fast. I wanted to do a piece that had importance to me. Planting those first basil and tomato plants of the year is such an exciting time for my family. It's a new beginning and a chance to nurture the soil and ourselves.
Since I have moved to my studio at home, I have lost my the important gift of critiques from my peers. Please send me any thoughts, critiques, etc that you have. I need this.

Drat, Foiled Again.

So my camera has grown legs and walked away. I think it formed an alliance with my Sigg water bottle, baby Ben's socks, and my phone charger. I have reason to believe they are all on a protest march to demonstrate how I can't have nice things.
However, I need my camera in order to take pictures of my artwork, update my website, and share with the world wide web. (Not to mention chronicle baby Ben's life.)
In an effort to replace my camera, I am offering up my lovely prints for your purchasing pleasure. All purchases will go towards a digital camera so that I can once again share the fruits of my labor with you. Prints are available for as low as $5, $10, none are over $75.
Please visit Rachel's Limited Edition Prints
Much love and respect,
Rachel Herrera