Not Your Average Vacation Photos

After being on this planet for a number of years, I have learned that most people couldn’t care less about seeing your vacation pics. I can certainly understand why. Unless you’re a world class photographers, the photos produced from you cannot effectively capture the true essence of the sights you’ve seen, no matter how breathtaking. But this doesn’t stop people from asking you why you haven’t taken any photos on your holidays either. I do want to share my holiday photos, yet at the same time, I don’t want to bore you all. Here are some of the pictures I have put together from my travels to the US in the last month and a half, a combination family reunions/belated honeymoon/birthday.

Here we are in Los Angeles, checking out a few theme parks as part of the Hubs’ birthday present (Disneyworld, California Adventures, and Universal Studios). We also wandered the streets of Hollywood and had dinner at In-N-Out Burger.

Whilst in LA I had to visit one of my favorite gal, Emi of the teeny weeny Pygmy Hippo Shoppe!

Then off we went to Colorado to visit my parents, who were kind enough to take us around to a few places of interest:

(Clockwise from left) We toured the Celestial Seasonings factory, had a gander at the wonder that is The Garden of the Gods, rode the train up to the Pikes Peak summit, and gawped at the amazing chapel at the Air Force Academy.

For our honeymoon we took a cruise in Alaska and had a blast stuffing our faces with the bounty in the myriad restaurants on the boat and marveling at the wonders Alaska had to offer, often with a plate heaped with cake in front of us. I was smart. I packed nothing but elastic waisted pants for this trip in order to accommodate my ever-expanding girth.

Fortunately, the shore excursions prevented us from asking the staff to roll us off the boat at the end of the cruise. I enjoyed a tram ride and hike in Juneau while Anthony biked to admire some glaciers before being taken to a brewery. We sampled salmon in Ketchikan and kayaked a bit and we took a train ride up to the Fraser in British Columbia for yet another paddle.

We went to Kansas to visit our friends whom we haven’t seen in years and spent several days gabbing in their bunker-style home with the knowledge that we’d be safe should a tornado hit this fair state.

After spending a bit more time in Colorado with my family, we flew off to San Francisco to visit another set of family that I haven’t seen in years. There we were fed sumptuous feasts and were given a 5-star tour of this glorious city.

Cousin Carolyn drove us down Lombard Street just for kicks; we saw the Palace of Fine Arts twice, once with Auntie Glendy and the second time on Segways. We admired the gorgeous architecture of San Francisco and looked at the Golden Gate Bridge from many angles.

But the best thing we did was taking the ferry to Alcatraz!

Since I was in San Francisco, there was no reason why I shouldn’t visit Alix Bluh and her gorgeous jewelry/curio shop. She is every bit as delightful and whimsical as the jewelry she creates!

By this time I am bloated beyond recognition, so I’m treating you to some photos of her gorgeous shop:

Can you imagine being surrounded by so much beauty?

So that’s it for my time away from the sweat shop! I’m feeling refreshed and ready to get back to work!

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It’s Vacation Time!

It’s been two long years of non-stop painting for yours truly. I would get irrationally happy at the prospect of having half a day off during these times. Imagine having seven weeks off! I did a Jig of Happiness and nearly fell down the stairs. Not a good way to start one’s holiday, is it? Of course I could’ve given myself a day or two off, but you have to really be in love with your job to keep on working, and I suppose that’s why I couldn’t stay away from my sweatshop.

The Hubs and I are returning to my native land for a combination birthday celebration (his)/family reunion (mine)/and honeymoon holiday. It’ll give me some time to post some of the sets I painted in the last 2 months and haven’t gotten around to updating!

Winter is Coming

The problem with painting sets of movies and shows featuring cast of thousands is trying to figure out just the right characters to paint. It is mostly why I haven’t tackled “Game of Thrones.” I have about 15 sets in mind just for this one show with more popping up. I figured this is one of those sets, much like the Harry Potter one, that I’ll only do upon request.

And then the request came. It was going to be a big set, it was going to be a birthday present, and it has to be painted in 5 days’ time. So coffee was brewed, ipods are loaded with podcasts from “Car Talk” and the latest thriller/murder mysteries, and frozen meals are defrosted just so I can crank this set out at warp speed. In addition to that there’s another huge project which I’m working on “after hours” and Cyclone Marsha swept through my neck of the woods so there’s also the threat of not being able to complete this job due to electric outage. In the end, everything turned out all right and I can now officially cross another set off my wish list.

From the largest to the smallest: Ned, Catelyn, Robb (yum!), and Arya Stark, followed by Hodor (with Bran Stark), Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Khal Drogo, the Mother of Dragons herself–Daenerys–and The Hound.

Now, if there’s only a way to get rid of the Game of Thrones opening theme from going round in a constant loop in my head.

Mile High City Shenanigans

Well, the time has come for me to pack up my brushes, put away my paints, and head on back to the Down Under. Contrary to what people think, I didn’t take two entire months off from work. Far from it! My family aren’t exactly thrilled that I’m holed up in my temporary basement sweatshop, toiling away the entire time, emerging only now and then to feed and sleep and walk the Bo. I have been compared to a prairie dog, of which there are plenty of here in Denver.

But my truly awesome friend Po’Trowski made an effort to come here and see me all the way from New York and get me away from my work table for a few days! We took her to Lucile’s, a creole cafe with an awesome breakfast menu that features the most amazing beignets this side of Louisiana, and a breakfast beer for under $3!

We also did what New Yorkers do best: Shop.

No, we didn’t buy the Swaglash specs, but the lady at Claire’s Accessories tolerated our inability to keep our mouths shut as we made fun of all sorts of nonsense in the store that’s clearly designed for people at least 20 years younger than us.

We also did some sightseeing, one of which was the Stanley Hotel, which I’d only caught a glimpse of during my first visit to CO years ago.

One of these days I’ll have time enough to go inside and indulge in a ghost walk. Until then, I’ll just watch “The Shining” again!

Of course, it’s not all play and no work here. Po’Trowski was pressed into service, temporarily taking over Shane’s job as my sweatshop helper.

Here she is, prepping the doll sets at my niece and nephew’s craft table. I’m a little disappointed that they’re too young to be working for me, but give it a year or so and I’ll really have something going here!

See you all back in Oz! My etsy store reopens 4 May with brand new items including the Grand Budapest Hotel and some new and improved Breaking Bad and mini Big Lebowski! Watch out also for some real nostalgic trips down the 80’s memory lane!

Broad City

Since my friend Pacheco and I have similar taste in all things pop culture (except music. He’s a little bit hip hop, I’m a little bit 666), when he suggests something, I listen—especially these days when I often feel marooned in Oz-land. Information just doesn’t reach us down there as quickly as it does in the US. True, I can always plug into all sorts of social media for my dose of entertainment news, but who has time for that? In any case, when he brought up “Broad City,” I checked it out and boy, am I glad I did!

This show chronicles the misadventures of 2 girls in their twenties out and about in Brooklyn. It’s a bit like “Girls” except funnier. I was pretty much completely sold on it during the scene when Abbi rolled out of the dentist’s waiting room like a tumbleweed.

I really wanted to capture Ilana Glazer’s glorious head of hair. Just painting it wouldn’t do. So I poked around and found freshly cut wool from sheep that has not been treated so it still retained its beautiful curls. It’s a fantastic material to make wigs from and there we have it.

As “P*$$y Weed” is the episode that sold me, I decided to paint Ilana and Abbi from it with one minor exception:

Here Ilana is holding the painting Abbi made for her gallery opening at a sandwich shop.

I was unable to find my standard sets of 3s. They in turn sent me these really tiny ones, which are only good for doing sets of 2s. Instead of using the last doll to paint Hannibal Buress, Ilana’s occasional hookup/dentist, I made this:

A mini jaw breaker which caused Ilana’s front tooth to fall out, the said tooth, an a mini bag of weed.

Now, I don’t want you to think just because I’m in Colorado now I’m indulging in the new law that’s been passed here and am using the real thing. It’s actually just some artificial moss. Sorry.

The Big Lebowski

Who doesn’t like a movie about bowling? All right, “The Big Lebowski” is more than a movie about bowling, but when theorizing this set, every idea I had revolved around the bowling alley scenes from the movie.

Clockwise from left: Theodore Donald “Donny” Kerabatsos, Walter Sobchak, Jeff “the Dude” Lebowski, Maude Lebowski, and Jesus Quintana.

Some details:

A Day Trip to Brisbane

The thing about working freelance is that it can get a bit lonely at times. Sure, I have the neighborhood dogs wandering in now and again, but other than that, I don’t do a lot of socializing. Normally I don’t mind it, but when Alice of the Australian Lace Guild asks me to come to their monthly meeting and talk to the members about the art of art making, I couldn’t say no.

Until I met Alice, I didn’t even know a lace guild existed! These fine lace tatterers spend hours upon hours building delicate bits of pattern, not unlike what I do sometimes, which is why Alice thought it was apt I come round to Brisbane and talk about making art. I love talking to people who do crafts because they understand the love and the frustrations that goes into creating something. Also, it usually meanders to other fun topics such as food and pets, two things I can never get tired of talking about.

Thank you Alice, for the invitation! It was a blast meeting you and the group!

Here’s a little info on the ALG. It’s worth a look!

The Luchadors

One of the earliest sets I’ve ever painted were the five luchadors, which eventually went to a couple as their wedding present (I know, right? No sissy napkin rings or a Cuisinart for those newlyweds), were easily my favorite, so I was extremely happy to have another go at them, this time super-sizing it!

I keep forgetting how long it takes to paint these giant sets! But as always, I feel no sense of relief after its completion, only a little bit sad…especially when I discover the hubs has eaten the last pickle.

What Happened in the Big Apple (and Beyond)

I know I know! I’ve been bad! I’ve been naughty! I haven’t updated anything in about a trillion years—and I am feeling all sorts of contrite. Please forgive me,  but things have been incredibly loony. Now I remember why I moved away from New York! I’m seriously looking forward to my resort-living lifestyle in Oz…and I’m on my way back as we speak. I could be enjoying a cocktail or two at the airport lounge during my insanely long layover, but instead I choose to write to you! All is forgiven?

Well, as you know, I’ve been holed up in the Rotten Apple for the past 2 months, doing a little bit of this, a lot of that. What I didn’t tell you was that my wedding was in not one but two parts. Part II was mostly to placate those who were up in arms about not being invited to the Aussie ceremony. It was to be a casual yet formal affair and yours truly was the antithesis of Bridezilla. Looking back, I should’ve been more adamant about certain things. As a result it was not the most organized of wedding banquets. But never mind! The point is that we had fun and there are possibly several hundred pictures of me dancing like a mad fool all over the internet now. Thank you, Age of Technology and my shutterbug friends.

It all started with the bridal shower, which I wanted to be held at Coney Island. The Cyclone, the Wonder Wheel…followed by Nathan’s Hot Dog and a Freak Show…what could be better than that? But my idea was shot down and we had a bridal tea instead.

Yes, as a protest to the fact that I was sipping tea instead of screaming my lungs out on the Cyclone, I seethed for the camera.

Anthony and me reprising our roles as bride and groom.

We were told that this was to be a dry wedding (no! That was just the restauranteur’s idea of a joke!).

Here’s our promenade around the bar. I told you it was a casual affair: Anthony got to hold onto his stubbie during the walk!

I got to kick off those blue stilts and put on my dancing shoes, courtesy of Irregular Choice. They were super cool to begin with, but you can’t put a girl in the same room with a glue gun and butterflies without something like this happening (lucky me! The U.S. Irregular Choice flagship store is conveniently located in NYC! Check them out if you’re in the area!).

All right! Enough with the wedding stuff already! I did get a chance to go down to Coney Island after all! The Freak Show was closed, but the freak museum was open and I got to see an actual six-legged cow and a mummified mermaid and another cow with two faces. A week before, I saw a woman who looked like one of Drs. Troy and McNamara of Nip/Tuck’s creation on the subway. I remembered thinking, “where in the world could this woman possibly find employment looking like a cat, whiskers and all, now that Tower Records are no more?” A week later I got my answer. She was working at the Freak Museum.

This is my friend Jean-It, who hugged the ground after the harrowing ride on the Cyclone. I was too busy dry-heaving on the other side of the camera.

Anthony has never really “seen” America. Last time he came it was winter and he refused to venture outside my house or the underground. I made sure that he saw more than the subway systems this time and we boarded the cheapo bus tour designated for Philly, D.C., and Niagara Falls in a space of three days and had a whirlwind trip (most of it were spent dozing on the bus so I refused to call this our honeymoon!)

Here’s the Hubs goosing J-Lo in D.C.

Here we are looking sexy in our Niagara Falls rain ponchos.

Here I am getting ready to haunt the halls of Sleep Inn as the Phantom of Niagara Falls.

No trip is complete without being touched by the long arms of the law. Here’s our bus driver getting ticketed for alleged speeding on the motorway.

I’d like to say that was our only scuffle with the law, but alas, we were the cause of a 20-minute 2-way traffic jam when the bus driver attempted to make a U-turn on the freeway. It certainly broke the monotony of sitting on the bus for 3 straight days!

You’re probably saying to yourself, “Irene, this update has nothing to do with matryoshkas, which is the only reason why we even bother looking at your website in the first place!” Well, fear not, devoted people of the ancient Russian art. Between the banquet and jaunts across the eastern seaboard, I was able to paint a custom piece for a newly-married couple:

See, I didn’t totally slack off for the past three weeks!

What Happens in Vegas

Did you ever get a sense that someone’s not telling you the whole story when you ask them about their trip to Vegas? My friend was there for a decadent weekend recently to celebrate a cousin’s end to bachelorhood. When I asked him if it was anything like “The Hangover,” he responded, “It’s actually more like, ‘Very Bad Things,’ but minus the dead hooker. I think. I don’t know. I passed out somewhere around three.” And he refused to elaborate after that. Whoa.

Here’s to some of the people that makes Las Vegas so fabulous:

The roulette dealer and the cigarette girls were especially fun to paint, but not as much fun as the pimp in his little red snake skin sport coat and pimp cup!

But my absolute favorite is mini Elvis impersonator and his pompadour!

I suppose I should think over whether or not I should let my friend host Anthony’s stag night!