Other work

Photo by: G&D Studios

Sorry I haven't been posting here in a bit, but I have been working other, non photo related things the last week and a half or so...I have been weeding and planting the garden ( along with digging a drainage trench and filling it with rock- still have larger rocks to add, but that is mostly done) I also patched and painted the holes in the siding left by the woodpeckers ( a constant battle with them and the cedar siding) We back up to a forest preserve, and the silly birds can't tell the differeance between a tree ( of which there are many) and the house...so, we get holes...which need to be filled, or we WILL have bugs living in them. This involved the big ladder, expanding foam for some holes and much up and down.
I also have been doing more promo work for Mad Housewife Wine...which I have to say, is a lot of fun...people want to take my picture, they want to take pictures with me...( and for those that come  there are always goodies like spatualas, shirts, nail files, matches and other assorted swag to be had)

This along with the end of the school year, graduation parties, regular art modeling, e-Bay sales, and just life in general got in the way of posting as often as I would like....but I have even more shoots coming up, so there will be more to see, no question.

cowgirl pinup

Photo by G&D Studios 

Why so Serious?

Photo by: Micheal Barton

Indeed.... Why so serious?  Most of my shoots, for whatever reason have a more serious tone ( not to say that we don't have fun, because we do, but the images that come out are more sultry, or serious or sexy  or demure...you get the idea)

I had a shoot yesterday with D&G Studios that was none of that...not really... It was silly. I pulled silly, over the top faces, did silly things , wore silly costumes....( no not clowns- though you will see soon) it was just light hearted all the way around.  It was great!  It was good to just let my self relax and inject more humor into the images them selves ( I inject humor into everything else, why not some shoots?)

This isn't to say that I didn't prepare for the shoot, I did, as usual collect and prepare for it as far as costuming and makeup/ hair were concerned ( first time with liquid liner...I think I did pretty well)   And we knocked out 5 looks in about 2 and a half hours, so we were flying and got about 160 images to sort through.  So "silly" does not mean "not prepared"

I really am quite excited to see the results done ( I have all ready seen the proofs ) It's a really fun set.  ( Think vintage pin-up, along with modern comic pin-up...but remember the silly)
 

First Promo

What do you think?  My make-up for my promo gig for Mad Housewife wine.     The theme ...Retro .

Not bad for a quickie hair ( I had an entirely different idea originally,but it just wouldn't work...this was the "Oh My God... I have to do SOMETHING I am running out of time " do.

I think the first  go round selling wine went pretty good too. I will have my numbers tomorrow AM, But I estimate over a case and a half...for 2 hours, and not serving samples on a beer day ( the Hawks are playing tonight- Go HAWKS!)

People want to try a wine, and I get that...but I had fun, laughed and joked with the customers while they were in line, sold some wine, got others to know that Mad Housewife existed....  So did what I set out to do.

Tomorrow I will be actually sampling the wine, so pretty sure there will be more sales from that.
Come see me at the Homewood Walts from 12-3...try the wine, buy the wine, have some fun!  See you there!

Spring, and the White Sox won their opener

Photo by: G & D Studios

Versatility

Photo by  Jack Hall ( Plane Courtesy of the Gauntlet Warbirds)

There are some models who specialize in one or two genres of modeling.  I myself want to do and experience as many different types as I can .  This particular shot is from my very first true retro  pin up style shoot, that I did my own make up and hair.  ( I had tried once before, but didn't quite get the feeling)
I had done pin up before, but it is a lot easier to get the look when your wardrobe, hair and makeup are all done for you.  Those Victory Rolls? That was an hour of cursing and fussing and fighting with my hair to do ( after looking at lots of pictures and you tube videos  . That make up? That was watching over a dozen youtube videos and finding appropriate reference material to study.

That's the thing, I suppose.  It is easier to stick with one or two generes, you get to know them, you are comfortable in them.  Switching it up, requires research on poses to wardrobe to make up to hair to facial expressions,every time you do something different, you should study and prepare.... and if you aren't, well, prepared to do that with every new style, then be safe and stick with the ones you know.

I like to be constantly learning, and I like to research, so doing different things,is fun for me.  I don't want to get stuck doing just one thing... I want to try it all ( or at least all I am suited for) from lifestyle to glamour. Pin-up to fetish. Art to Commercial. Tattoo to Editorial. I want to do it all, and I seem to be steadily working toward that goal, and getting acknowledged for it.      

Out line

                                 Photo by: Bill K.



I am currently working on a tattoo, and  have been since June of 2013.  I am hoping to be done sometime in March of this year.  In this picture from late June of last year, I just had the outline done....at this point I have most of the dragon and a good portion of the phoenix colored, and my Tattoo artist ( Miles, from Deluxe Tattoo in Chicago) estimates 2 or 3 more sessions,my next one being next Wednesday. I have been holding back on the type of shoots I am doing,because it's unfinished state  bothers me ( I am a  touch OCD) though most of my photographers tell me I shouldn't worry about it .....  What does it mean,you may ask? ( Like many,  I have meanings behind my tattoos....though for some the meaning is as simple as "I like it"- which is perfectly valid )
This one has lots of meaning for me.  The dragon represents, power, wisdom,strength and good luck. as well as the "Yang"  My husband also has 3 dragon tattoo's, so in several ways this is an homage to him.  My dragon will be in water colors, ( blue and greens...maybe some yellow)  and holding a lit cigar, instead of the traditional pearl.  The hubby can spend HOURS in the water, he is a real water baby.  He also smokes cigars...got it?
The Phoenix, ( or Fenghuang) of course, represents rebirth, a rising out  of the ashes, as well as the Yin. She is auspicious, represents fidelity, and she is lucky. Taken together they represent a successful , prosperous and strong marriage and relationship.
My hubby and I hit a rough patch several years ago, and since then we have both been working hard to get ourselves, as well as our relationship right.  I can honestly say that it is the best it has ever been, but still continues to get better . It really is  wonderful...we are more 'together', more open, communicate better, trust more and we are more comfortable with ourselves every day. there is so much love.... ( mushy, I know)
To continue,instead of the traditional cherry blossoms drifting, I have oak leaves, which will be in autumn colors ( why autumn? 1. this whole piece blends into the leaves on my back,and those are autumn...and it is my favorite time of year ) The oak is also a strength symbol, power,magic, the ability to be steadfast, to stand strong against the storm...and there...you have the meanings behind this latest tattoo.  I can't wait for it to be finished ...and I have several photographers vying to be the first one to get to do the tattoo shoot when it is done! I should perhaps have an auction and have them bid on it LOL!