Meet Me In Outer Space

METROPOLE

2012-02-15T05:07:00.003-06:00

Venice, Italy. 2005.

LOVE DAY

2012-02-14T07:41:00.002-06:00

Hokkaido, Japan. 2011.

SMILE #10

2012-02-13T02:58:00.002-06:00

Collecting 1000 smiles. Golden. Bangkok, Thailand.

SUMO

2012-02-11T20:07:00.002-06:00

Tokyo, Japan. 2012.

TAXI BOATS

2012-02-09T06:49:00.003-06:00

Bangkok, Thailand. 2011.

3 TREES

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000-06:00

Venice Beach, CA. 2010.

BELIEVE IT

2012-02-07T05:57:00.003-06:00

Graffiti in Barcelona, Spain. 2010.

ALLEY

2012-02-06T04:35:00.000-06:00

Kofu, Japan. 2011.

REFLECTION

2012-02-04T21:01:00.002-06:00

Australia. 2011.

HUSH

2012-02-03T21:23:00.000-06:00

Buddhist temple. Singapore. 2011.

FLORENCE

2012-02-03T01:47:00.002-06:00

SITTING

2012-02-02T04:31:00.002-06:00

Singapore. 2011.

SMILES #7-9

2012-02-01T01:23:00.001-06:00

Collecting 1000 smiles. Generations of Sisters. Wichita, Kansas.

SHOPPING

2012-01-31T02:13:00.003-06:00

Florence, Italy. 2005.

FAST

2012-01-30T03:10:00.001-06:00

Rome, Italy. 2005.

DETROIT

2012-01-27T21:27:00.003-06:00

SMILE #6

2012-01-27T04:11:00.002-06:00

Collecting 1000 smiles. Mardi Mar. Austin, Texas.

YES

2012-01-26T07:47:00.003-06:00

San Francisco. 2010.

LOUISIANA

2012-01-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

MALTA

2012-01-24T00:06:00.004-06:00

NOT CHINA

2012-01-20T01:14:00.002-06:00

Chinatown. Yokohama, Japan. 2010

BATU CAVE

2012-01-18T16:44:00.002-06:00

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2011.

SNOW

2012-01-17T06:26:00.003-06:00

Hakuba, Japan. 2011.

WALK MAN

2012-01-16T06:07:00.003-06:00

ICE

2012-01-13T07:57:00.000-06:00

PRAYERS

2012-01-12T02:04:00.003-06:00

Rome, Italy. 2005.

SMILE #5

2012-01-10T16:24:00.003-06:00

Collecting 1000 smiles. Happy New Year. Austin, Texas.

PHOTO DUMP

2012-01-09T15:54:00.002-06:00

Missed the last few days. Here's where I've been.

DRIVING

2012-01-03T03:19:00.002-06:00

If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there. Italy, 2005

LOOK

2012-01-01T14:12:00.002-06:00

Korean art. Venice Biennale, 2005.

PATH

2011-12-29T02:53:00.001-06:00

Just keep walking. Fushimi Shrine. Kyoto, 2011.

BICYCLES

2011-12-27T04:45:00.001-06:00

Shizuoka, Japan. 2011.

Barcelona, Spain. 2010.

CELEBRATE

2011-12-26T20:46:00.004-06:00

Viva Las Vegas. 2009

BLESSING

2011-12-25T08:25:00.002-06:00

A sister is a forever friend.

SMILE #4

2011-12-24T01:43:00.003-06:00

Collecting 1000 smiles. Beach bumming. Paradise Bay, Malta.

OPINIONS

2011-12-22T17:07:00.002-06:00

Abstinence promoter. San Francisco, 2010.

WORDS of WISDOM

2011-12-22T02:50:00.001-06:00

Museum at Buddhist Temple. Singapore

SPEEDY

2011-12-20T16:45:00.000-06:00

Rome, Italy.

SMILE #3

2011-12-19T16:55:00.002-06:00

Collecting 1000 smiles. In the backyard. Film.

RAM IT

2011-12-18T17:08:00.002-06:00

ARRIVING

2011-12-15T17:09:00.000-06:00

Detroit Airport.

LET'S ART

2011-12-14T07:30:00.003-06:00

PEACOCK

2011-12-13T03:42:00.001-06:00

Peacocks are males. Peahens are female. Together they are peafowls.

SMILE #2

2011-12-12T01:47:00.001-06:00

Collecting 1000 smiles. Bridal Portrait. San Antonio, Texas.

PERTH

2011-12-11T06:31:00.001-06:00

UP HIGH

2011-12-10T02:14:00.001-06:00

Sun rise on top of Mt. Fuji

BEACHES

2011-12-09T07:48:00.001-06:00

Australia

Mt. Fuji

2011-12-08T00:51:00.001-06:00

My backyard.

SMILE #1

2011-12-07T03:24:00.001-06:00

Collecting 1000 smiles. Finishing University. Austin, Texas.

LONG NECKS

2011-12-06T03:18:00.001-06:00

Girls as young as 5 start wearing these rings around their necks. At one point, it was to keep them safe from tiger bites since they lived in a remote area in north Thailand. Though now it is to keep tradition alive. The girl studying is working in an elementary English workbook.

LEANING TREE

2011-12-05T02:33:00.001-06:00

It had not fallen. It simply needed the ground for support. Western Australia.

CROSSWALK

2011-12-04T05:08:00.001-06:00

Singapore. Japan.

HUNGRY?

2011-12-03T02:21:00.001-06:00

No, I could never bring myself to eat chicken feet. Singapore market.

SNOW

2011-12-02T01:20:00.001-06:00

I may not be accustomed to snow, but I can at least see the beauty of it. Driving home. Killeen, Texas. 2010

MONKEYNESS

2011-12-01T01:35:00.001-06:00

"I learned the way a monkey learns- by watching its parents." Prince Charles.

ENLIGHTENMENT

2011-11-30T06:05:00.001-06:00

And the chanting was nothing like I had ever heard before. Bright Hill, Buddhist Temple. Singapore.

SPORTS DAY

2011-11-29T02:14:00.001-06:00

Japan shed new light on the dangers of track and field day. While I may be familiar with the 3-legged race, I was impressed with tying the legs of 10 students so they ran in unison and resembled a centipede. Students raced on the backs of other students around the track, fought to take caps off opposing teams while being help up by other classmates and ended the day with a small band performance. Both junior high and elementary students are familiar with this traditional day.

FIRE FEST

2011-11-28T04:11:00.001-06:00

My welcome to Japan came in the form of my town's festival- the Fujiyoshida Fire Festival. To appease the goddess of Fuji, the folk carry portable shrines around the city. These 1 ton tributes to Fuji are then returned to the site the following day. Tradition includes walking through the bonfires all in hope that Fuji will keep from erupting.

Compilations of a Sketchbook

2010-11-09T05:35:00.010-06:00

While in Spain, in 2007, I bought a history book from the market in Barcelona. It was printed in 1944 and details the history of England. I was immediately drawn to the binding, but I was not interested in reading about in England in Spanish. So, I used my creative ability and turned it into a sketchbook. I have since, shared the book with fellow artists I have met throughout my journeys. The book is a work in progress, but here is a sneak peak of some of the art created.

2009 PHOTOS

2010-11-09T04:24:00.015-06:00

During this year, I quit working for the photography studio and began teaching. I was able to start my own photography portfolio, but that didn't leave much time for any other art. A special thanks to all those beautiful people who let me be the one to capture their oh so precious moments.

2009

2010-11-09T04:20:00.002-06:00

Taboo

There's

a new

pain on

my back

in pretty

colors

but the

pain in

my heart

is still

there.

When

does

that go

away?

One Piece at a Time

I watched a strand of hair fall to the

floor as drops of water fell after it. It

lay limp in puddles made from me.

Ouch

The

pills

are

not

work

ing.

They

say

pain

relie

ver.

But

♥

still

hurts.

body

weighs

down.

Need

pills

make

pain

leave.

Revolutionary

Men use

to dress

in stockings

and petticoats

with wigs

and ribbons

in their hair.

Now, men

get teased

for wearing

too much

cologne or

using hair

products. It's

amazing what

200 years

will do to

the minds

of the mass

in society.

2008 ART

2010-09-14T02:07:00.015-05:00

In 2008, I continued experimenting with digital media. I started my charcoal phase, thanks in part to the Austin Figurative Gallery, and used collage to help recreate my memories of being abroad.

2008

2010-08-03T15:39:00.003-05:00

My Rules

I don't say you

can't, you shouldn't,

or don't.

I don't bother telling

you when you will

and when you won't.

Think for yourself

and do what

you please.

You can do what

you want, so why

don't you want me?

Shit happens

Like forgetting

your iPod at home.

Or car accidents

because you reached

down to grab your phone

and killed your girlfriend

sitting next to you.

Does God punish you if

it was only an accident?

What do the words

"I'm sorry"

really mean anyways?

Love

It's the most complicated

simple feel I've ever felt.

My heart is happy.

My stomach in knots.

And my head is telling me

to run from hell.

Destination: Anywhere

He didn't say a word

as he walked down the street.

Cars rushing by filled the silence.

No jacket, only a blanket

to keep him warm.

His well-worn shoes kept

him balanced on the curb.

Too cold to sleep, so he

walks to keep blood flowing.

It's his fight to stay alive.

Rant in Vain

Graduated college to sit at a computer, 8 hours a day, to make type changes. Not the life I had in mind, but I guess that's where I went wrong - I had no plan. Except to escape, but you can't stay gone forever. At least I couldn't. I thought it was enough that I was in love, but what the fuck is love? Just a 4-letter word that makes you feel better about fucking is my guess. But that's not my problem. It's this adult life that makes me mad. All work and no play gets to my head. Up before I should be, conversations about insurance, realizing it's been 5 years since high school. Shit, I sound old. Soon, it'll be all baby and husbands cause that's the American dream, right? Fuck the American dream. It's really only for the spoiled suburbia kids anyways - the ones who care more about their name-brand clothing than the people who made them. They'll stick up for a dog before a slave. Welcome to America, the land of the free. No pay for all the bullshit you hear, the corruption you see, the lies you tell. Everyone thinks they're a big deal, it's just too bad we're all a spec in the universe. Just a tiny dot that collects dust and pollution and leaves a body behind. Why can't people see that?

Fired

On a Tuesday.

Woke up early

to get the news.

"It's just business,

and there's no money,"

was the given excuse.

Not that I mind.

I was starting

to feel like I was

wasting my time.

Hibernating

Nothing phases him.

He cares for a moment -

long enough for a hug.

Barely uttering, "It will

be ok," before he's back

asleep. Again. I admire him.

Worry lost in a dream,

where options are endless.

Life spent in a fuzzy reality.

Fake people with fake feelings,

gone once awoken. Disappeared.

Body is left to wander the world

looking for answers to questions

not asked.

Losing Love

Broken, like a phone in water.

Heart sunk to the bottom.

No reception. No motivation.

Dormant. Sleeping passes the time.

Eyes shut. Tomorrow comes soon.

Just another today.

Documenting a Broken Heart

Depressed. Won't eat. Can't sleep. Crying all the time. Doesn't bother wearing sunglasses, let the puff show. Blares Janis Joplin. Calls mom. Sleeps it off. Begins to eat. Friends reinforce self image. Boosts self esteem. Time goes by. Heart heals.

Being Dumped

It's like you're about to drown.

Bobbling in the water, but won't go under.

Frantically swimming. Stretching every limb.

Panicking. Heart beating fast. And then it's over.

2007 ART

2010-07-05T13:26:00.033-05:00

I received a handmade book from an artist I met in London, so during my time in Spain, I turned each page into a memory of people and places I met on my travels. This is a few of the many I drew.

When I returned from Spain, I wanted to continue using the creative freedom I had while I was in Europe. Unfortunately, I had little time and energy, quickly becoming frustrated with the current circumstances in my life. This was completed started my collage series.

2007 PHOTOS

2010-07-05T12:46:00.007-05:00

The art and talent of Barcelona was overwhelming. From the graffiti styled store fronts to the candid street photography, creativity blossomed at every corner. I also had the opportunity to visit the countryside and beach town of Cadaques. I highly recommend exploring outside of the city.

Singing and dancing in the streets of Cadaques. One of my favorite things about Spain is all their festivals during the summer. People are so carefree dancing and playing their music in the plazas. Everyone is so friendly and enjoying celebrating life.

2007

2010-07-05T12:43:00.002-05:00

Cut Off Again

"Your limit is near,"

the operator tells me,

like I care.

Forced to say good-bye.

Too soon. The voice of comfort

is gone. Hung up. Call ended.

Memory stays for a moment -

makes me want more minutes.

Soon it will be our story

a "remember when…"

But now, the seconds are

treasured like buried gold.

I have no gold or silver.

Money runs from me

like a wildfire through a field.

At least the operator saved me that much.

Momentary Thought

The moon tries to hide

behind the flimsy clouds,

but it's illumination is too strong.

Light puffs race in the dark sky,

in a hurry to nowhere

like most in the city below.

Sitting, I smoke a split.

It's been too long since the last.

Enjoyment comes like sex,

which has also been too long.

The fountain in front drowns

cars speeding, alarms blaring.

It's gurgle soothes the moment.

Staring at the sky, I think about

going to the moon. I must be high.

Armstrong did, why can't I?

Lies Americans believe from

scandals the government tells.

Which is worse?

More lies. Mas mentires.

They never stop.

There is truth in my smoke.

Inhaling it comes from within

rising to meet the clouds

and drifts off with the wind.

Leaving Spain

In the moment of

silence realization hits

the bottom of your stomach.

When the weeks away

becomes today, the only

thing to do is embrace it.

Right now it's time to go,

destination unknown.

But have faith that

everything will be ok.

The sun's in the sky.

A smile's in my eye.

And tomorrow's a

future's past day

Meeting Notes

Meeting 3. Still doesn't interest me. Do I have a case of the Mondays? Lame, I know. My place - in the corner, as far back as possible. I'm spatting out letters that now make sense to me. "TGD, I'm workin' on. SPB, not my job…" Due dates float around in my head. Keeps me from sleeping. Commands always going off in my head, though they don't tell me what to do. Or where to go. Some would say I'm lost. But, I know where I am. Most of the time. A yawn escapes from me. A shot of oxygen to the brain. Wonder if it really helps. Makes me feel sleepy and unprofessional. Meeting adjourned and we're gone like flies.

Bitter Age

Give a kid a thought to ponder:

"I think life would be ______ ."

It says on the chalkboard above:

"I think people would be ______ ."

I miss the days when I believed

with my heart that life was good,

and people weren't bad.

With age, comes wisdom,

but there's a pleasantness in

the one who leads a naive life.

Monotony

There's something about

Monday's at work that

make my life so routine.

Up before 8, to work

by 9, lunch around noon,

off at 5.

It's like the spiral of a

snail's shell that goes

round and round and

round. Nobody ever

notices the end, just

the continual circle that

makes head's spin.

The Boss

Spatting out instructions

sounds more like learning

a new alphabet:

"pdf the TGDs

and place the SWBs

after the BLMs…"

She's in charge so she

gets to eat her salad

in her office with the

tv running while I'm left

exposed in my cubicle.

I'd be envious except

I ton' work nights or

weekends or want a

son in boy scouts.

Some promotions aren't

worth the benefits.

Mind Numbing

In front of the

computer screen

in my cozy cubicle

lost in a mess of

thoughts. I'm

interrupted by a

shrill laughter

from a note about

a client mark up -

fancy term for

post-it note question.

I don't get the joke

and have to fake

laughter, which is

hard to do when

your mind had

gone blind.

Spain and Me

2007-06-26T05:30:00.000-05:00

Well, I made it. After spending the night at the airport, flying into Barcelona and then a short bus ride to Olot, I´ve found my home. The family I am staying with are very friendly, and they do their best to make me feel welcome. I have my own bedroom, bathroom and they have a wonderful cook who makes the most delicious meals. Last weekend, they took me with them to their apartment in Cadaques (pronounced Cod-a-ques like queso). It is a little town on the bay where Salvidor Dali is actually from. It was beautiful! And there were several painters set up around the bay. Some painting, some selling and some just admiring the scenery. Last Saturday started the celebration of St. Juan´s day, celebrating the Saint Juan. Saturday evening, a parade of several young band members led children and 5 people dressed as characters of whom I have no idea into the town square where they played some traditional Catalon music while some people danced. The traditional Catalon dance isn´t that entertaining as they hold hands and step around in a circle. I was more entertained by the youngsters jumping up and down in front of the band. We joined in the parade and were behind the man holding a lantern. They had built a cardboard pile for a bonfire and the lantern held the sacred flame from a distant town. I take it back in the day it would have been delivered by horse, but now a car brought it. After the band stopped, the fireworks started and when the sun went down, they lit the bonfire. We watched it from the balcony of the apartment, and lets just say, I´ve been to parties with bigger bonfires. Nonetheless, the atmosphere was filled with fiesta. We had coca, which is not anything for your nose, but a wonderful pastery they have just for St. Juan´s day (which I learned is also the longest day and shortest night). The fireworks went on all night, but I was much too tired to stay up. Sunday, we went to the father´s parents house for the actual St. Juan´s day celebration. They had lots of family, champagne and coca. And they made me feel right at home. It was like an early 4th of July party. I am enjoying my time and learning about another culture. These next 3 months are going to be filled with lots of excitement.

Last of London

2007-06-19T07:08:00.000-05:00

I've come. I've seen. I've conquered! It's my last few hours of London, and I think I'm ready to leave. The city is great, and its the history of the place that boggles my mind. Yesterday, I met up with an artist who took me to a 150 Anniversary art and design show. 150 years!! Thats practically how old America is and this college was celebrating its 150th birthday. Amazing. It was also really lovely to meet some fellow artists here. The art crowd is always welcoming and enjoyable, no matter what country you're in. And the art is wonderful, but not so far above the work I've seen and done back home. I must really know some talented artists. And I do. I also found my favorite spot, Kensington Gardents. Which is where I'm off to today... So farewell London, I bid you good-bye.

Livin it up in London

2007-06-15T09:14:00.000-05:00

Well I made it. Somehow. Despite the several wrong turns and the overwhelming hustle of the tube, I found my hostel. It's very different than Ireland. Not quite as friendly, but I've managed to make some friends who are travelling from Canada. They couldn't believe I was from Texas because apparently I don't have that Texas twang. It's only my second day touring the city, and I feel like you could spend your whole life here and still not see everything. It's like New York City, just more proper. Even the bums are more polite. Yesterday I made it to central London from my hostel and saw the Tower of London and the Tower of London Bridge. Amazing. Absolutly beautiful. I spent most of my afternoon in the Tate Museum. For those who are die hard art fans, which I might be, its the place to go. I was most amazed that Marcel Duchamp's Fountain was there. I saw it, with my own eyes, in person. I literally had to stop and pinch myself. It was a reminder that art is real. There was so much to see that I felt exhausted after I left. I can't wait to get to Spain and paint. I have so much energy I need to get out.

After the museum, I met one of my new Canadian friends, Sarah, at the London Eye. Since I climbed the stairs of the Monument, I don't think I'll be going around the Eye. Seeing the city from hundreds of feet in the air is well worth the money though. It may have also contributed to my dream of sky diving last night... Sarah and I decided to catch a show last night, and for anyone interested Wicked is AWESOME! I always wondered what the story of the Wicked Witch's story was. It was clever, beautiful and most entertaining. One of the lines from the play struck a chord with me, "Truth is not fact or reason, its what we all agree upon. Often called history." Tis true.

On our way back to the hostel, we got a little reminder that we were in the city. As we were waiting for the last tube back to our part of the city, some cops came and told us to leave the station because "a serious crime had just been committed." No worries, we didn't see anything and made it home safe. The city can be a scary place, but I have no concern. Hakuna Matata is my life theory. And it's worked for me so far.

How to be a Princess

2007-06-10T06:27:00.000-05:00

It's almost every little girl's dream to be a princess. I can actually remember the first time I thought I was destined to be one. It was after I read a book about a girl who was adopted and her real parents were a king and queen in a far away land. I was 8 and it the dream to be a princess didn't last long. Well, yesterday I met a prince. No, he was not my prince charming who swept me off my feet because we had some instant love connection. He is an African prince (and I won't include details because I don't want to seem exploit him). As I was walking through St. Stephen's Green Park in Dublin yesterday, he seemed friendly enough and invited me over for a chat. Usually, I would politely decline, but he seemed harmless. A few beers later and he's telling me about his crazy life as a prince. Now I would expect to meet members of a royal court dressed in expensive clothes in some fancy place. Apparently I was wrong. He was a nice man who cares about world issues, who wants to make a difference and who wouldn't stop proposing to me. (I think he had too much to drink) I no longer dream of being a princess. I prefer jeans and a t-shirt to a tiara any day, but I did learn a valuable lesson from him. A kind heart is better than a pretty face any day. So, ladies, when looking for your prince charming, remember to keep an open mind and don't always be so afraid of strangers. Trust your instinct and always wear that smile on your face.

Holy shit, I'm in Ireland

2007-06-09T04:23:00.000-05:00

Well, its official. I'm in the great country of Ireland. Since I can't sleep on planes, it took me a good 24 hours to catch up on sleep and lose that loopy feeling in my stomach. Dublin is quite the city, and I intend on doing some prime exploring today. Yesterday, I took a train to Bray- a city on the southern coast line. Now, I've been to my fair share of beaches, but this one was took my breath away. There was a calm I've never felt before. I met some girls from Ohio who hiked with me up this gorgeous mountain. And the view... oh man, we were higher than most of the birds flew. My energy is still a little low, so I didn't do an all out pub crawl like my first night here, but the pubs are a guarenteed fun time. People seem so friendly here, and I don't know if that's just because I'm a girl or what, but I definately feel safe alone here. Enough with this computer, it's time for some exploring!

My Mark in NYC

2007-06-06T10:20:00.000-05:00

New York is art friendly. There's no denying that. And it is definately appealing for street artist. I'm not calling myself a street artist, but I won't deny my fascination. I prove my love for New York with my kisses. If I didn't think I'd get some sort of disease, I'd actually kiss the city with my lips. Unfortunately, I can't afford that risk. Take it or leave it, this is me.

Welcome me.

2007-06-05T11:57:00.000-05:00

So this is me. Almost 22. Just graduated from college, and blogging for the first time. My parents would be so proud. Or would they? Instead of applying for grad school or trying to find that 9-5 job, I've decided to run away to Europe for the summer. First stop, New York. It's not my first time here, so the streets weren't a complete surprise to me. I love the city. There's something strangely calming to be able to walk down a street and watch life happen. Its not like you have to come to the city to experience that, but its the city life I find especially intriguing. People everywhere, people you'll never see again. Tagging on practically every building gives me something to read on my stroll. At night, I get especially entertained by the drunks. Even NYC has frat-tastic boys wasted and trying to lull us ladies into bars (and when we refuse, we get called whackasses), but its the completely obliterated people that provide the most entertainment. A few nights ago, we watched a man stagger head on into traffic, go right up to a 4runner and lay his head on its hood. I wanted to help the man, but seriously, what would I have done? Shoved him in a cab and sent him to some unknown destination? Can't help them all. Too bad. I once read a quote saying that if you're bored in New York, its your own fault. All too true. This trip, I conquered the MOMA, the Museum of Natural Science, Coney Island (beware of the Cyclone, it can kick some ass), dinner in Little Italy, and a stroll in Central Park that led us to a castle and through Strawberry Fields. Not to mention the partying we've done- Saturday night we ended in on the roof of a friends apartment at 6 in the morning. Feels very appropriate for New York. I have one more day in NYC before I depart for Europe. Dublin more specifically. So, I'll be blogging about my experiences and thoughts on life as I adventure the world. For now, I'd like to end on a quote I read yesterday in the Museum of Natural Science: The world is not given to us by our parents, but instead is on loan to us from our children (Kenyan Proverb). Ponder that.