Hm....

...wondering if I should completely switch my Blog over to Tumblr. I mean I have really LOVED it here....and making new friends over (almost) the past two years has been SO great. But hm, things seem just a bit more easier at Tumblr. Anyone got one? And if so do they like it better than Blogger? I'm having a hard time deciding because in all honesty, I don't know if I want to continue on here. And jeez, even at Tumblr I have this feeling I wouldn't be posting much. Maybe I'm finally feeling BLOGGED out....hm. Decisions decisions...and oh yeah opinions opinions PLEASE. ;)

Female Baggage Counterpart

Hi friends. How are you? I'm ok. Well, between tomorrow and the end of the month I should find out if my art piece, Female Baggage, made it into the DAMNED II art show. I'm crossing my fingers. Please cross yours for me too!

But in the meantime, I'm facing a dilemma. Ugh. I made that piece with the intention of having another piece accompany it. But after I made Female Baggage I thought "Hm, maybe it'll be fine on its own...and I'll just try getting this piece in rather than both pieces." (Also thinking it would definitely be the more thought-provoking one of the two pieces.) But if I save the piece I have (though it's not made yet) and try to get it in next year, I'm thinking the people who are judging my submissions will be like "OH, it's the girl with the cutouts again!"

What I mean by that is the piece to accompany Female Baggage is the MALE version. Yes, the male symbol that you see on restrooms,etc... But I was stuck in a rut thinking about how to make that one. (And still am.) The female one was fairly easy (as I'm a female of course)...and I could only think of a few things to put on the MALE cutout/version. Let me try to remember what I got for that one....a knife (imitation of a swiss army one), toy cars, a wrestler action figure....and um...yeah, I didn't get very far because I just couldn't think of "male things."

So if you have any ideas let me know because I might try to get going on it. I mean what do you ALL think...is it worth a try? Even if I fail miserably??? Because I may not be happy with it BUT I'm thinking I should just give it a go. And the deadline is Saturday, so I'll have to get on it ASAP. But I work good under pressure so maybe it'll work out. Hmm....what's a girl to do?!? >~<

FYI: I never put up the finished piece of Female Baggage on Blogger. Man, I thought I did. I think I only put up part of the process because I put the WHOLE process on Facebook (but recently deleted that process too, sorry, but I know some of you did see it). So if you need a reference of that piece, please click on the label below this post and you'll see Female Baggage in it's early early stage. Thanks & take care.~

OK, now it's done! The Birthday Girl, that is...

The Birthday Girl (my art piece) is finally finished, hooray!!!

But first some background on my art process lately and my process in the past as well...

I've noticed something with how I make art for the past several weeks. Well, that is art for my (soon-to-be) Etsy shop (and Sorry, Diane I don't know when I'll open shop-I don't have a set date at the moment-But have no fear, I will be shouting from the mountain tops when I do OPEN it!). Ok, I feel that if people are going to purchase something from me I want it to be as good as I can possibly make it. I know that sounds like a simple statement but it's not. Atleast for me it's complicated. (But I think it makes YOU...well for ME, think more.)

What I mean is some of the things I've posted about my updates were things (for example the hand mirror & the other hand mirror with no mirror-Pill Face it was called)...that literally sat around in my ArtSpace for a while (and I considered them 'finished'). Pill Face I made wayyyy back...then I changed it...simply because I thought it needed that extra something. That extra something was just metallic paint. Same kinda thing with the other hand mirror-I completed it, thought it looked good, and then ___ time goes by and I say "Hm, I'm gonna make it better!" And I think it did come out better in the end.

As I've heard from many people (and yes Diane, thanks for reminding me too!), LESS is sometimes more when it comes to art. But in some cases, I just feel like a piece is missing....something. The piece below called "The Birthday Girl" was never a themed piece. Then the more I worked on it, the more it became something of its own. And I do really enjoy 'themed' art...but usually don't do it because it takes a lot of thought. When I started to paint (semi-seriously) back in 1999, I was making paintings/mixed media like it was going out of style...and this continued on & off for years. Usually I'd take a BIG break, then start whippin' 'em out again.

But then I look back at those pieces (which I took pictures of some), and say "Hm, I could've done so much more with it!" But maybe it was just my thing then. Because it never took me long to complete a piece...a day or two at the most. And they all kinda looked the same. I had ONE BIG theme back then-faces...but very very abstract faces. My first & only art show was even title "Faces in Disguise"-yay, I came up with the name too (it was a group show with a few friends)! {I'm actually going to be getting ALL the art I have at my parents house very soon-which is A LOT...so it'll be interesting to see things I've completely forgotten about. And to see how my 'style' has changed/evolved. I will more than likely post pics of some of those pieces...but of course!}

OK, so with the pieces I'm working on for ETSY, I'm trying my hardest to make them the best that they can be. And I'm trying to make them (kinda thinking, especially with Birthday Girl) that someone will see it and want to get it as a gift for a family member, friend, etc.... So I have to say THIS (below) is the first piece that I feel is READY for ETSY. And I think it is more like a piece you'd see and say "Oh, maybe ___ would like that for her birthday." (Or whatever else...but I'm thinking birthday...but an unbirthday will work too!)

Sooo, the piece below is Birthday Girl before I added that one little extra something-to finish it. I thought it looked good...but a sticker in the top left corner was not sticking well, and hm, by 5pm, the darn thing fell off. So I was thinking it needs "Something." So here it is pre-5 ish...

And this picture (sorry, it's wayyyy below) is post-5 pm. I just thought it needed that extra SOMETHING, ya know!?? Do you know what it is? But of course YOU do! And now I feel completely satisfied with it. And I don't plan on touching it again. I was telling Mike earlier when he was at work today "Hm, I think I need to add more to it." And he's funny because he just said "Be careful." Which is true. I mean if it looks pretty good, why mess with it!?? But hey, I'm a pro (well, not really but I can pretend, right!??)...and I would've figured out something else, even if it took some time. And time is OK sometimes. :}

So I hope you can understand what I'm trying to get at with this POST (especially you artistic ones!). And that is I just think art should take some time, thought, and a lil' blood, sweat, or tears involved in it too. AND don't forget about PAIN (did I mention I have some "thing" in my foot? I think it's a teeny tiny piece of a mirror...cuz I didn't clean up all the mirror-dust when I broke a couple mirrors-a while back-in the basement aka: my art area. It feels a bit better now but it REALLY hurt a few days back.). But no pain, no gain, right!?! My ArtSpace/Area is a deadly place to go...you MUST always wear shoes for one! ^_^

And I guess I'm feeling a lil' bit of pressure knowing someone might buy my art so that is kinda good...kinda is bad, ya know? And then the attachment to the piece also...but that's a whole other story (and YOU artists know exactly what I mean with getting attached to something), that I won't get into. Alright...Birthday Girl w/that special something is pictured below...

And my finishing touch (which I hope I can put on all of my pieces but I'll see how it goes), is the "Handmade By" stamper...which I would've got the "Hand-altered By" if they had it. ;} And the key stamp cuz I just love keys....especially old keys like that one to the right. And that sticker that fell off the frame actually came into use on the back of the piece, The Best Birthday Ever sticker. I may have to tape it if it doesn't stick, which is fine. I definitely didn't want to tape it to the front of the frame-mainly cuz none of the other stickers needed tape to stay. And that wouldn't have looked right. I think the flower was much more fitting. And yes DIANE, I will name drop you one last time, you are SO right-there are NO accidents in art. OK, do I get something for name dropping YOU the most in one post!???! ^_^

Darn. And can you believe I did not plan to do this gigantic of a post! Well I never actually plan to write long or short, I just write. 9 times out of 10 I don't have things pre-written...which I'm assuming most blog authors don't do either...guess it depends. I REALLY came on to write on my personal (secret) blog...and here I go on about this piece & ART in general. Don't worry though I won't be doing this for EVERY piece I make! Yikes, that would be a bit mad! So would any of you artists like to explain your process and views about selling art (if you have or haven't yet)?

At my art show (back in the day aka: a billion years ago), I did sell a mixed media painting & I have to say that it was ONE of the greatest feelings I've ever had. It was pretty cool. So again, whatever you'd like to say about your art & experiences, please dish! You know me, I'm always curious. ;}

OK, it's almost midnight...OK, now it's past 12 AM since Mike interrupted me. So I should head off. Gotta work tomorrow, blahhh. But it MUST be done...that is until I am a rich & famous artist living in the country side of France, and don't need to have my job anymore. Oooo la la, what an amazing life that would be!

Alright, be chatting with you all soon.~

Goodbye to...

...FaceBook & Twitter. I deleted both of my accounts there over the past few days. WOO HOOOO, the freedom, ha ha!!! Let's see, I have a MySpace, I visit Hello Kitty Junkies once in a while, I have my art on display at 723.com, I have way toooo many email accounts (but I have just ONE I mostly use), I have 3 Blogs, and I may be opening an Etsy shop soon. So too much is just wayyyy too much these days!

I really only did FaceBook because 2 of my closest friends were like "It's better than MySpace, you'll love it...we'll keep in touch...bla bla blahhh." Well, one, Jennylee, who insisted that I keep it, is on but not much...or atleast when I'm on. Then my other close friend has NEVER been on...atleast we've never chatted through it. So what's the point!?? And most the people who were my 'friends' on FaceBook were mostly people from high school that I really didn't want to chat to TO begin with.

Then Twitter. Oh TWITTER, what IS your point? I have to say I honestly did it out of curiosity AND because it's the only thing like a MySpace or FaceBook or whatever...that is NOT blocked at my work. So I would just write random stuff on there and see what my 'friends' were saying too. But I think Twitter is one of the most pointless things...EVER. The more friends, the worse! Great you are in your living room...lovely you are at the bar....how exciting you are waiting in line! I just don't get it!!! My one friend, who's a guy, thinks it's the greatest thing ever. I didn't even question him because I despise it so much. And I was just thinking Oh, I just don't want to get into it!...Since he was thinking it was SO AWESOME for some reason that I just could not comprehend.

I just don't understand how anyone (from bands to artists to us regular folks) can & do have soooo many 'online homes.' Guess what my FAVORITE online home is? Hm.........

Well, it's HERE (on Blogger) of course!

I LOVE it here and don't plan on leaving anytime soon. YOU guys are my peeps! ^_^ I love to write...to share...to meet new people...chat with my fellow followers/blog authors...to find out about NEW things/things I never knew existed or paid much attention to before (through others postings)...etc...etc...etc... So WHY should I open a bazillion accounts to maybe get the chance the chat with a couple of friends when I can simply pick up the phone & call them? Or email 'em...but I prefer calling them honestly......can you tell why???....cuz my emails are a bit long, yikes! :)

I really just like MySpace for updates on 2 things-some of my fave bands & some of my fave artists. It keeps me up to date with CD releases and concerts and also when artists have new art/toys coming out. Otherwise I prob wouldn't use it.

So really what more do people need with several different online places!?! And to be writing the same exact thing on each site-MS, FB, Twitter. Example: my sister will write "I'm at work, I am having a bad day...etc...," (or something like that) on ALL these things. I'm just thinking "OK, what the hell!? What is the point of these things?!"

OK, rant almost over. Just got a question...

Your feelings on all the MySpaces...FaceBooks....LiveJournals...and ugh, Twitters??? Good or making us robots???....who can't even call or worse go & visit your family & friends! Isn't it a dirty shame!??~

Suggestions please...& a gift for you

Lookie, it's me...
after my momma dyed my hair.
Turned out ok...
just need my sis to cut my hair next.

I took this pic to use for my new profile pic on 723 (my online gallery).
Cuz I'm a girl with a glue gun, & I'm not afraid to use it!
Check out my gallery here.

Hi friends. Lately, I've been considering selling my art through Etsy. I'm not sure if it's gonna happen or not, but I think it all starts with this....a NAME. No, not my name, Eve,....the name of my Etsy shop. I've posted some pics (of a variety of my art below) to give you an idea to what kinda stuff I create. With almost everything-from a band to an author's alias to an artist, I think you NEED a name first and then things start to fall in place a lot easier.

Hm...these are just my suggestions off the top of my head...please note that: these ALL don't have to be incorporated into my Etsy shop's name...they're just things bouncing around my brain at 2 am in the morning.

• Something with Eve...or Eve Noir in the title

• Alice In Wonderland stuff, cuz of my love for it...names/quotes from the books/films
• 
  
• Gothic stuff, 'cuz of course I'm a bit darker...this includes names/feelings
• 
  
• Even what YOU see when you look at my pieces below-if it's one word or a paragraph....I can try to figure out a name based off that too...SOOOooooo, give a girl a helping hand and know that I appreciate anything you may tell me...I mean it, anything! (Also know that I'm a painter/mixed media artist/and make collages.)
  
• 
  
• Thank you so very much in advance my curious friends. (Usually I don't have much of a hard time picking a name for stuff....but since Etsy is a business & I could possibly be doing it for a while, I need to really REALLY think about it.)

Oh and lastly, the person(s) with the suggestion/name that I like the MOST for my possible shop will get a small gift from me. This/these gift(s) will be announced/up (for you to pick from) once I decide on a name for the shop. And even if I don't 'open shop,' I'll still send you something for your hard thinking & work! :)

ONE Last Last Thing: I'm very curious to others views on having an Etsy shop...what they get out of it...are they getting their name/art around...if they feel they are compensated well...etc...Soooo if you have an Etsy shop and would like to give me some suggestions/advice, I'd greatly appreciate it. You can either leave a message here or on my gothiclolita@innocent.com address. Thanks again and can't wait to hear some of your ideas!~

Through the Looking-Glass (version 1)

Untitled: For Jenny

Skull-Alien

Red Pills

Untamed Vanity (detail)

Untitled: For Juno

New Music & Concerts Everywhere I Turn

Hi friends. Happy Friday to you all. (Please hit PLAY on the song below as you read.) There hasn't been too much music this winter, as far as new albums or concerts go, from bands that I like & now it's like a flood of both new albums & concerts. Unfortunately I won't be able to go to EVERY concert, I even missed Mindless Self Indulgence when they came around last month (which is rare cuz they're Mike & mine's fave band)!

So concerts coming up that I will be seeing include The Kills on May 8th, it's a Friday & I missed them last time around so it's a MUST. Then later in the month is Fischerspooner on May 31st. A definite must because I've been waiting to see 'em for years. Mike & I pre-ordered tix for this show the day we heard of it...and it so happened to be a concert the same night as NIN. Kinda a bummer but that's o.k. because I've seen NIN 3 times now...and we couldn't do it anyways because we bought Fischerspooner tix. Other bands coming to town that I'll have to miss this time around include VAST in May and also one of my fave bands live, Gogol Bordello. We simply can't go to all because of $$$ and Mike works some of these days too as do I. Oh to be rich & not needing a job! ^_^

So there's albums that are out and coming out too. One includes the Yeah Yeah Yeahs new one called It's Blitz. That came out this week. It's really great and I'm including my fave song at the bottom, though it's not a video, just the song, sorry! Fischerspooner's new album Entertainment comes out sometime in May and I wonder if Gogol or The Kills will have something new too since they're touring. Oh & KMFDM has an album that just came out called Blitz also...yeah, two CD's with that name in the title, kinda interesting. Mike has yet to get that one but I'm really curious to hear it because Skold did some of the production/programming.

So yeah, lots & lots of stuff coming out since last week through June...and I'm probably forgetting something too! O.K. hope you enjoyed the song at the bottom (Did you really hit PLAY?...hm, ha ha.). I'd say that the new YYY album just might be the CD of the summer from the bouncy & fun sound of it. To hear more of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs please click HERE. Take care & happy weekend!~

Following & Followers....Hm...

Hello curious readers. I've just been thinking about something lately. And that is following other blogs. In the beginning, I didn't follow too many because I couldn't find that many who had my kinda interests. Then a little after I started my goth blog, I gained more followers, and found out about a bunch of blogs more suited to my tastes. But I was doing something else along the way too (with both blogs), and that was once someone started to follow me, I usually ended up following them. But before long, I had WAY too many blogs to keep track of (for me), and did some "spring cleaning" as my blogging friend Dracenea called it.

So I stopped following certain blogs mainly because I realized I can't relate to 'em anymore or even worse-never really related to these blogs to begin with. I don't think it's because I'm being very picky, it's just that if I can't relate, I simply can't relate, ya know? And by leaving these certain blogs, some stopped following me too. Which I guess is understandable, but I didn't do it to hurt their feelings. I just don't want to be a 'follower' if I'm either not reading your posts or have no interest in 'em.

Now I'd like to discuss something else & that is...current followers of both of my blogs. I find it interesting that some peeps that follow me, have never EVER left one comment. And I know this goes on with some of my fellow Blogger friends too. A bit bizarre, ya think? I only know this at this time because I have less than 30 followers on each blog, so it's easy to keep track right now. I kinda wanna say..."are you REALLY following me?"

Also, I am quite amazed by peeps who follow lots & lots of blogs...and again my definition of A LOT of blogs could be very different than yours. I think things also depend on how often the person blogs or more importantly the quality of the blog posts. I've followed peeps who write 5+ posts a day but the quality is sometimes not as good as someone elses once-a-week-posting. I don't know...it's a complex thing. I look back at some of my postings and say "Why did I need to post about that?!?" But I guess it meant something to me at that time.

Hm, so I what I think is the best thing to do when deciding whether or not to follow someone is to read a good amount of their posts (if possible, it they're new it's a bit harder) & ask yourself "Is this really my type of blog?" I've been doing that lately & it helps. I do this a lot when someone starts following me. Because I usally take a look at their blog out of curiosity, but if it's not something I can relate to, I won't follow because I'd be cheating that person...right?!?

Thoughts...suggestions...whatever you'd like to say in regards to these topics???...because as you probably know, I'm always curious. ^_^

This is why...

...I bought a new winter coat. See how you can see the inside (gray) coming out from the black of my coat? I can't even tell you how long I've had my nice black (long) coat. Then there's my gloves. I've had 'em for 3 winters-wow! Mind you I purchased a spare pair when I bought 'em & got plenty more (though a bit different) over this winter. But I just refused to stop wearing my gloves inparticularly. Mike had even said "Do you like looking homeless?" I can't help it, I just love my gloves...and coat too. But out with the old & in with the new cuz my gloves are literally falling apart now...they suddenly have holes in 'em. :( So next year I'll be wearing both my new coat & gloves. :) But have you ever done that before....became so attached to something & didn't want say Bye coat...or blanket...or what have you?!? I'm like that with a lot of stuff. It's hard to say good-bye...right!?! Have a nice Sunday night friends!

I may be MIA for a lil' bit

Hey friends. Happy Monday to you all. Hope your week goes well. Just writing to say my postings may not be on such a "regular" basis over the next few weeks. I've been having some "living situation" issues and I need to concentrate on that above anything else for the time being. I'm sure I'll post from time to time (well, I am a blogger junkie afterall!)...just probably not so frequently on either this blog or my goth blog. If anything, this will (hopefully) get some of you to go back (3 months time) & read some of my previous posts-that would rule! Trust me, I'd love to write so I wouldn't feel such frustration & uncertainty at this time BUT I have to put this situation first. It means everything to me...because I don't want to move back to my parents' house. I love living with Mike & our doggie, Bibi, & I don't want that to change. This is NOT a relationship problem...it's a matter of getting a new roomie ASAP. So wish me luck!!! (Also: If you're a peep I email with, the same thing applies. It might take me a lil' while to get back to you. I think you'll understand.) I'll be bloggin' at ya later. ^_^
Your curious friend, Eve

My mind must be off cuz i didn't even give this a name...

ughhhhhh! the pic you are seeing above is my list of things i want to write about between BOTH my Looking-Glass and For the Love of Goth blogs. and right now, i don't feel like doing anything. mainly because i just woke up. well, basically i didn't get moving til about noon, if you consider moving going on here & eating breakfast. hm, since sunday night, i haven't slept too great which always throws things off. i don't know exactly why i feel so crappy. maybe it's this crazy weather (cuz my body is a lil' achey) or just the fact that i've been going to sleep pretty late & then getting up early. and it's finally wearing me down now...and since i'm not due into work til 4 pm today, i just layed down catching up on 'missing time.' and Bibi felt the same, or didn't want to bother me...cuz she just layed there with me too. :)

soooo, if you don't hear from me soon, you know i made the decision to take a bit of a break. i mean this place ain't do or die, so things can wait of course. and YOU know i love writing but gotta get feeling back to norm by doing some more norm things, ya know? actually yesterday was nice cuz i wasn't online too much. i had an appointment at 1 pm, and then a lil' bit after that i went out to meet my friend for dinner (and shopped before that, that'll be my next Eve's Red Bag)...and didn't get home til after 9 pm. so i was actually doing 'normal' things which is good.

oh, and mike & i got movies to watch too before next tuesday (BB Total Access you're killing me some days!). and those include: zack & miri, nick & nora, and i'm getting an Alice film i've never seen in the mail from Total Access. yeah, i put down like 4-5 Alice films in my Queue on Total Access...but most of 'em are "short or long" wait. want to see some other Alice films...but for 'research' of course! no, just because...

(oh & Jenny I took your advice & i'm getting both Alice & Looking-Glass on Audio Books, woo hoo!)

well, i should go but i hope you all have a lovely day and if i don't talk to you soon, you now know why. oh, and tonight is new episodes of The Office & Kath & Kim (gotta tape both of those), so make sure to watch those. take care everyone.~

One Quick Note: my poll closes in 2 days. so if you haven't voted yet, please do. think Alice is the #1 pick right now. thanks!

Made This Painting

i've been working on this painting for a couple of days. i added the metallic colors & sparkles yesterday. needed that extra special something. i made it with my sister in mind because her birthday is this week. now, i feel a little torn for 2 reasons: 1) i have become a bit attached to this piece (i am unsure if i want to part with it) and 2) i don't know if she'd like it...this is my 1st time making a painting FOR someone. so hm...what's a girl to do? i made this painting with valentine's day in mind as well, since her b-day is close to it. that's why there's lots of pinks, purples, and reds. o.k. i better get going-been on the computer too long once again! time to get ready for the day, go some places, then i'm off to work. talk at ya peeps later.~

Alice Print...Decision Made, Thanks!

1-Alice in the Pool of Tears

2-Cheshire Cat Cuddle

3-Alice in Clockwork

4-Alice Descending

hi everyone. i'm really considering getting one of these prints as my valentine gift from mike. they are all Alice-themed by a wonderful artist named Jasmine Becket-Griffith. and wow, they are very reasonably priced! but i'm having a hard time deciding which one i'd like to own. hm...this is because they are all so lovely. so i just wanted to ask you all "which one do you like the most?" take some time answering if you need to because (believe it or not) this is gonna be my *last post of the week here. and i have to give it some thought too. BTW: you may have noticed that i didn't include Alice & Mad Hatter. i do like that one...but these ones showcase Alice much more to me. (also, i am leaning towards Clockwork or Pool more so than the other 2 at this time...but hm, things can change...oh, & i've never owned a print before...this'll be my 1st one, yay!)

*well, i'm gonna try hard not to post anyways...:)...AGAIN, things can always change but i do need a bit of a break...>_<

UPDATE @ 11:45 PM-i'd say my mind is pretty made up now...think it's gonna be Clockwork! Mike knew it was the one I really wanted too. Thanks so much for all the comments peeps! and BTW: check out my other Blogger cuz something similar is going on there too now...(sinister laughing)...;}
BEWARE: This is Eve's DARK Blog!!!