A fun and successful art show

I am excited about the success of my first-ever art show to coordinate, and am already planning another one in May.

For those of you who were unable to make the Jan. 2 Freedom of Expression Art Show, we had a lot of people come through, a lot of fun all around, and a good foundation for future shows.

I saw a lot of people involved in the show who were taking pictures, but didn't think to get names (d'oh!). However, if you took some pictures and want to share, I set up a group album at http://photobucket.com/Freedomofexpression. Even if you didn't take pictures, check it out :).

Anyway, I will keep everyone updated on the next show. If you want to exhibit, volunteer, or just say hi, drop me a line!

The Freedom of Expression Art Show is coming to town!

Come enjoy a night of music, fun and local art at the Freedom of Expression Art Show on Jan. 2, hosted by the Stray Dog Gallery in Lubbock.

Several local artists will display their photography, painting, prints and more at the event. Sandra Casparis will be doing some live painting to the music, and free food will be offered at our reception area.

The show is a trolley stop on Lubbock's First Friday Art Trail and is located at 1917 Buddy Holly Ave. It will run from 6 p.m. until the last visitor leaves. We look forward to seeing you there!

A candid interview with Tom

Okay, I think I'm going to need some sort of intervention for my MySpace addiction. I never thought I'd be a MySpace kind of girl, but I just have so darn much fun with it.

Like today, for instance. I started playing with the MySpace IM and saw that Tom (With a capital T, yo) was online. On a lark, I messaged him, and to my great delight, he had an automated reply set. I decided to have some fun with it.
My "candid interview" went something like this:

Me: So are you excited to be interviewed by the one and only Bakka?

Tom: woo!

Me: I'm glad to hear that Tom. Is it okay if I call you Tom?

Tom: woo!

Me: Well you're sure excitable...anyway, on to my first question: How does it make you feel to know you are friends with everyone on MySpace?

Tom: woo!

Me: Glad to hear it. I'm sure if I had 250464747 friends, I may give a hearty "woo!" myself. So I see you're single. Do you have an active dating life?

Tom: woo!

Me: I see...well I'm sure a man with as much internets pull as you can date pretty much whoever you want. You know Tom, I get the feeling that you're a kinder, gentler internet superstar. If you could offer advice to someone who's having suicidal thoughts, what would that advice be?

Tom: woo!

Me: Yes, very deep. Forget your worries and just take joy in the moment. I knew you were a thinker. Now Tom, on to current events. Given the current economic crises around the world, do you hold out any hope for the future?

Tom: woo!

Me: So brave...keeping your chin up in the face of disaster. Now about the new president, what do you think of Obama?

Tom: woo!

Me: A fellow democrat. How refreshing! Well Tom, thank you for your time. I have really enjoyed this candid interview.

Tom: woo!

Me: Woo! to you too, Tom *sniff* Woo! to you too...

Keep in mind, this is only a joke. I'm sure most people could figure this out, but I in no way want people to think Tom actually said this stuff...his computer did. I'm sure he's a nice enough guy, and I'd hate for one gag to make people think badly of him. Plus, he'd probably unleash the fury of the internets if I got on his bad side :).

I met the Jesus guy :)

I was working on a submission for JPG Magazine called "Nice to Meet You" today and got to meet a really neat person. I see this guy every day standing on 66th St. and University Ave., and when the assignment came up, which was to meet someone, get their portrait and some information, he automatically came to mind.

His name's Johnny, and every day except Saturday, he's out from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. with his sign. He's been doing this for about three months because, as he said, "It's what the Lord Jesus told me to do."

I call him "The Jesus Guy" because that's all I knew about him. I mean no disrespect by this nickname, it's just a descriptor. I personally think he does a service to the world by showing that kind of dedication to his beliefs. I myself don't consider myself a religious person, but I am very spiritual. It does my heart good to know people like him are out in the world.

My busy, busy life :)

I learned one big lesson at this year's NOVACon -- Don't plan anything else for the same time frame.

Around 5 a.m. Thursday morning, not only was I working on some stuff for the event, I was also hurriedly pricing products for my new case at KK's Craft Mall. I'm happy about the opportunity to do that, but it made for some frantic last-minute work. Overall, though, it was a good weekend.

My friend Alex got married Friday night, and it was a beautiful service. I got to take some of the photographs, and I'm told some of them turned out pretty decently.

The LLAMA Today November issue will be distributed Friday during the First Friday Art Trail. I'll have more of the particulars on that tomorrow. As for the December issue, we have hit the ground running. I'm working on the cover story, which is about how local organizations encourage the future of art in West Texas, as well as a handful of other really cool stories.

I'm also doing a lot of painting and photography, as well as practicing piano and guitar to improve my skill.

Let's see...I don't think I've left anything out...anyway, it's a very fun, very busy time in my life :). I plan to post daily to the site with updates on everything, so be sure to check back often!

Namaste

Come see the NOVACon!!!!

Just a reminder that the NOVACon is coming to Lubbock Nov. 1 at the Lubbock Garden and Arts Center.

You still have a couple of days before the contest deadlines, so if you haven't entered already, now's the time!!!

We'll also have plenty to do the day of the convention. It will run 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and have a live art contest, art show, charity auction, poetry jam and recycled art contest. There will also be local artists selling their creations, so come out and support local art.

Tickets are $5, or you can go to the NOVACon Web site and download a coupon for two tickets for the price of one. Children under 12 get in free, so bring the whole family!

I am completely happy :)

I spent all afternoon trying my best to capture the most miraculous thing I've ever seen. I was eating lunch over at the Lubbock Garden and Arts Center and noticed there were a lot of butterflies flitting around the flowers in front of the building. I decided to go get my boyfriend's film SLR camera to get a few pics.

When I got back, I realized the full enormity of what I was witnessing. This was part of the Monarch butterfly migration and there were literally hundreds of butterflies from different species, including of course many monarchs. They were gorging themselves on those flowers and those in a garden area inside the arboretum. They were so involved in what they were doing, I could literally take pictures from inches away. I even reached out to a few, and they put their legs on my finger :).

I was out a couple of hours and took about six rolls of films, which I'll be developing soon, but I was also able to get a few digital pics as well.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my extraordinary day :).