Art a Gogh Gogh

This event was pretty fun last night. I enjoyed just hanging out with my boyfriend and talking to people about the creations I had with me. Tempe showed us so much love! From the artists to the audience, I met a bunch of really cool people operating on a higher vibration! Ladies were trying on bracelets with me and fellas were browsing through Blue's prints to the right of me. There was a lot of good energy shared as well as smiles. It always feels good to see people enjoying themselves and last night was filled with that! Thanks to Evan from Media Tempe out with us last night!

Fair Trade

My Monday night. After a beautiful long talk with my aunt Patty, I lost myself in the heart of the art district at the Fair Trade Cafe. I was invited to paint/sell my artwork during their weekly poetry jam. After listening to poets, musicians, and an amazing DJ while painting, I decided to step up and share something I wrote many moons ago. Ironically enough it is titled, "where is my home?" I was overwhelmed with the emotions it brought to surface once I was behind the Mic. I broke through tears and delivered for my first time ever, a poem I wrote and felt. 

"Where is my home?"

"I felt the real thing, 

seen images only dreams seen"

I laugh at voices that agree when my subconsious wants to scream these things

walk around town

looking like some fancy clown. 

not knowing how to get up

cus you spent all weekend getting down

laugh at the truth cus you know its what you need

now that youre eyes are open you know its too late to go back to sleep

but its all about perspective

and you just might get elected

if your thoughts stay positive 

and negativity stays outta it

tryna find a balance, call it self control

and when trouble comes a knocking 

I say "no ones home"

Its the need to be alone because solitude is grand

its not personal and I know it takes a while to understand

take a drive

far far away

debate whether or not this is the place to forever stay.

yet I always come back 

but ofcourse im sure..

you predicted that.

---------

Afterwards we all hung out and had deep conversations introducing me to the culture here in Phoenix.Ironically enough they made me feel like I found my home. 

Put your best foot Forward

 

Put your best foot Forward, Ironically enough, that was the name of the event! Lately I have been thinking about going outside of what I know, "Breaking Boundaries" as my boyfriend has been calling it. It is so easy to stay in our comfort zone and do what we normally would do, retreat to our same way of thinking that has strayed us down many familiar path, I have realized however, when in fact you are ready to walk a new road, there usually is not a path laid out. Finding your direction is guided by your own choices. Most of these paths are unfamiliar. Some have a lingering of those who have passed down these roads and you meet people along the way who may join you for a bit as you both walk towards the light at the horizon. That light for me has been the women of Few and Far. For those of you who are unfamiliar, take a peek at this site and this video...

fewandfarwomen.com

I recently found out they were attending a big graffiti event back home and unfortunately I was unable to make it out. I am excited for June 1st tho. Few and Far is having their 2nd annual Skate Jam and has asked me to participate by teaching and doing a live demo. As excited as I am to do this I am also thinking about finding new ways to pay for this trip. Sponsorship? jewelry Sale? Art Shows? Some familiar and some unfamiliar I am indeed extending my horizons and along the way I met this cool girl named Chauntae. She was out there gettin down at the skate park among many guys. As intimidating as it felt for me, It reminded me of the first time I went out to paint a wall. Not too many people I knew were doing what I am and if they were, chances are they were men. In this moment I had a deeper understanding of Few and Far Women. For someone like me who has struggled with acceptance from women in her own family, I feel ever so grateful for the advice, inspiration, and opportunities these women have given us. 

Peace, Love, Sisterhood... 
Rabbit

Speakin' Easy at The Speakeasy!

So, I got out there and FINALLY painted Live which is something I haven't done in almost 2 months and I'm in a whole new city! I honestly did not know what to expect I just brought everything I worked on these last couple of weeks. I noticed how much I miss shows. They were encouraging! I always wanted to finish a project or work of art by the day of the show and I had fairly similar feelings getting ready for this show. Aran Kelly  was the host who knows whats up! This place had just the right music, a good mix of jazz and hip hop instrumentals! Live poetry went on through the night as dollar tacos and dominoes filled the tables. I painted the night away realizing I was in a hidden gem. Not too many showed up however many people missed out!

Why? That's why.

So recently I was asked "Why". More specifically why do I paint? This question has brought upon conversations from one extreme to the next. Rather then go into that and say what other people believe is the reason why one should paint, I would rather tell you why I do what I do. 

"Keep in mind I'm an artist, and I'm sensitive about my shit!" - Erykah Badu

Painting has always been My favorite past time. It has always been my favorite way to pass time. I appreciate the challenges painting provides. Whether its mastering a new technique or breaking comfort zones, painting as always helped me grow as a person. There was a time in my life when I was afraid of what people thought of my drawings, now I live to paint in front of complete strangers to share my imagination leaked on to canvas. After realizing I was breaking new skin, I began to find not only my voice, but the fact that I have a way to share ideas and creativity with people of all cultures. I can post a picture of a painting I just created and it can bring a smile to someone a thousand miles away from me. Which leads me to where I am going. I am going to travel the world growing through art by sharing my voice through paint on canvas, jewelry, and walls! My journey has already begun, leaving home in the deep heart of Texas, giving up familiar faces and lifestyles to pursue a serious career in painting by breaking my comfort zones. I am already teaching, painting, and working on diverse art shows in surrounding states which is not only difficult for artists but even more difficult for FEMALE artists. I am a rare breed however, I believe imagination is meant to be shared so everyone can know that the word "impossible" really means I'm possible! I want to create possibilities for those who may not believe that they can overcome their challenges, find their voice, or make their dreams a reality.

Stay positive and motivated,

Rabs

Dreamy Draw Dam

This has quickly become my favorite place to hike! We later found out it was built to cover up a U.F.O crash! whoa, who would've guessed? For this post, I think the pictures say it all!

Homesick

The paintings around me and the hand holding mine is the few pieces of home I have that remind me where I came from. 

I made the mistake of flipping through old photos of when I first hit the art scene in San Antonio. Bad idea! hahahaa As I sit here with a heart full of passion and eyes full of tears, I realize I got more than I bargained for. hell, I have more than I budgeted for lol

Straight Up, this move is alot harder than I expected. Literally starting from the beginning without any friends to invite to the show you booked through a person you met at first friday.

I miss my family, I miss my friends, I miss my city.

Its strange, this feeling. When I was in San Antonio I felt like I couldnt find a home. I constantly asked, "where do I belong? what kind of artist am I ? why am I doing this show that compromises my beliefs?" Everything became about making money and I felt like live art, something I am soo passionate about was exploited by some of the closest to people to me.

I love my culture and they way things used to be. I know, things change.. I know.. I just didnt like what I saw. I miss the way things used to be... when we were all rookies. When the passion was high. Meeting new friends at events, finding new music, seeing new art. These past few months started to feel like repetition. Same people, same places, same type of event.. oh and lets tag live art on there because its in. I even heard someone say that over the mic at an event I was painting at smh..  feel like the culture in my city has become saturated. Where is the passion? I miss Art Vibes, where everybody knows your name and your favorite beer on tap! hahaaa

Now I am in a city that promotes the fact that it has no culture! It is lovely here, the views are amazing however.. this is hard! starting from the ground up. Talking to everyone trying to find who you need to know to do shows and events. Then most people from home who would praise you when you did their shows no longer speak to you, no longer know your name. Its bitter. I feel like I have fallen off a cliff, landed on my face, and trying to find a direction to walk in. 

Then I think.. maybe that is what I needed to smack some sense into me. Why didnt I fight for what I believe in? Why didnt I stand up and create a new space for Art Vibes. Why did I let people put me in a box and label me what fit their event? Rookie mistakes I guess. 

Im starting to realize a city is more than its attractions and events. Its about the people. Time to meet new people. How can I move forward if I am always looking back?

New City, New Fridays

First Friday. Known by artists of all sorts. Whether your a painter, musician, poet or small business owner First Friday is a well known tradition for a gathering of the arts in the central valve of the city so Blue and I set out on a mission to find the main vein of Phoenix which led us to Roosevelt St. We parked and I grabbed a tote full of bags blue had made last year in hopes of selling them while we walked through the streets. Good thing because Roosevelt was like none other. Print shops and boutiques had artists outside selling their clothing! This was incredible. This is street wear! 

The Marketer in me was wishing they had better lighting so I could snap fliks of their gear but the artist in me wished I had a 13th Witness lens app for my phone! However we did walk into this space that was promoting fashion and interior design  for Ai of Phoenix. Funny thing is, the last time I was here, I was on  an interview for admission there! Everything here is student produced and outside was clothing lines were the creator is the person selling you their own designs. I can only imagine what amazing collabs and creative ventures Blue is going to have here! 

We continued on as music filled the streets and lured curios minds into galleries and shops. It felt like a big sample fest, being able to taste all types of artwork and food. I have been told that Phoenix is a big melting pot, you will see everyone from all walks of life here and I am beginning to see why! Everything from the artwork to the music is so unique yet familiar, Does that make sense? It felt similar to the artwalks back home in San Antonio however, I didnt see as many sugar skulls, Loteria card art, or bottle cap jewelry. This did 2 things for me. 1. It felt relieving! 2. I appreciated those items even more. Those small things that once drove me crazy are just apart of the culture. My culture. We turned into a back yard of a business and finally saw some live art! I miss Artslam! I miss painting with my friends. This was a nice treat. 

The book store we walked into next was the coolest store I have been too! filled with hand made goods and educational finds they were preparing for a comedy show outback. The owners are extremely cool and linked up with us for future events. Around the corner we find this guy playing guitar so I shot a photo. I challenged Blue to a photo contest, 5 photos of the same moment... edit and compare later. As soon as he gets his camera ready to shoot, the street performer says "Donations for photos". That was Sour. A moment like that changed my view on the same photo:


 Before:
"Smooth"
Just spreading the beauty of music.

After:

"Red Light Special"

 Just doing it for a living not living to do it.

Photo Contest with Blue:

"Recyle-Bots"

 "Drum Lawn"

"Free Spin"

"Street Son"

*this was the last shot of the night. We stopped and listened to the knowledge this guy was spitting over an acoustic guitar. He had all of his homies behind him just hanging out and enjoying his music. We leaned in to give him some stickers and he declined thinking it was cash. When he realized it was stickers, he was just impressed almost as much as we were. He was just out to share his art, culture, and message. This guy gets the most props for the night!

The First.

The First.

Incubus, My first Love. Still gives me chills.

I have a lot to say however, I must admit to being a bit computer shy at the moment. 

(and to think, this whole blog is designed so I would stop caring .. giving a fuck about what you on the other side think of me)

When most of you do not know me at all. 

I leaked tears...

and blew life into ashes

disguised to hide the eyes of Shiva.

Where do I belong?

Greetings

Hello! My name is Rabbit. I recently moved to the desert. Some call me a Phoenician. I call myself Rabbit. People always ask my why. I always lead them on a wild goose hunt or tell the them the story of how Blue (My boyfriend, Best Friend and amazing artist/photographer/graphic designer/ aamclothing.com CEO .. and overall badass) started  calling me Rabbit at his first Artslam! (Best Live art event in S.A! artslamsa.com ) However, Lately I have been wondering the same questions you all on the other side of the screen may wonder as well.. "Who is this girl and why is she painting girls with stuff coming out of their heads?!?!?"
 A lot has changed since I have left home. I see life through a new lens.With this lens comes new filters. My subject matter is slightly similar to before yet does not return the same feeling as before. I think about who I was. What I have been through. What I have only admitted to the teens striving out of youth programs I taught last summer. I miss teaching. I miss painting walls. I miss selling at shows.
  These thoughts led me here. A path of self discovery. Which brings me to these photos. Live Free, a term I am discovering meaning to on a deeper level. Free, what does this mean? who does it apply to? How do I get it? How does it feel?
Meditating above mountains in Dreamy Draw dam has me feeling like an Indian Princess hahhaa...


So here I challenge myself to document my daily life with videos, music, photos, and lessons learned so i can learn more about myself.