Wow. The anticipation was worthy and the movie left me with clarity and joy it looking back on the lives of these women and forward. It makes me want to call all my bestest girlfriends and plan a trip to NYC or anywhere (hey when’s the last time I had a real vacation with my girls!!!)

Sex in the City is about unconditional love, friendship, living your life, being yourself, and being fabulous!

Enjoy the shots, see the movie, and tell me what you thought about it!

Seeing the entire cast on the red carpet was wonderful. They seem like such a tight knit group. I’m not basing that off anything I’ve read, well, maybe things I haven’t read about the cast… since I only see their vibrant smiles and hear them brag (in the best way possible) about their couture fashions on the red carpet.

These women seem happy, radiant, proud, comfortable, confident. It’s comforting to see that. Of course, I don’t know them… they are human but seeing people experience joy, sisterhood, and a bit of luxury only adds to the value of my most precious and proud moments.

Enjoy!

So the past few weeks have been awesome for me. I’ve spend some wonderful quality time with some very cool Seattliettes at some pretty exclusive functions. On Tuesday May 20th, heard Dr.Iyanla (pronounce I-Ya-Ha-la) Vanzant speak at Benaroya Hall. She’s the author of One Day My Soul Just Opened Up and In the Meantime, among other books, those were the two I bought after the event.

Her speech was titled, The Ways We Love, she was very open, super-down-to-earth, “chile let me tell you” in the sweetest spiritual sort of way. Every story, every example, it all came back to you. Her story about her sister dying awhile ago and her not haven’t spoken to her for 3 years. She honored her by remembering what she had taught her. She taught her how to tie her headwrap and her skirt her native African culture. She spoke about forgiveness, unconditional love, and loving yourself, taking care of yourself. Integrity. Principles.

This is a calm video of Iyanla, but it really does sum up her beauty and raw essence. I’m really on this journey too and it’s so exciting to get to know yourself. And art is such a big part of that for me. I sometime feel like a dweeb because when people ask me what I’m doing on the weekend or what I do for fun… it’s pretty much always art. It’s fun actually. It’s all good.

After the event, a group of us went to Wild Ginger right across the street. We had wonderful satays and great conversations about our life experiences and journeys in spirituality and christianity. Very empowering and balancing to think about your spirit.

Okay, so I’m a fan… but I’ve been nervous that even though he is loved by the people and we all know he’s THE ONE. I thought maybe the he’d get robbed and not get the nomination. But my good people, it’s looking so good! Super-delegates… check. Majority of the voters… check. The latest nomination from John Edwards (could have been sooner, but it was a great speech)… check! And even now G.Bush is making negative mention of him and Obama is striking back. I’m starting to feel good again! It’s a beautiful thing and really happening - Obama just may take this all the way!

Here is some wonderful endorsement artwork… OBAMA 08!

(From top left: The Mac, bottom left: xtrapop, Obey Giant)

(From top left: flyer in NY - slice, poster by vivache, bottom left: folk art by C.M. Laster, necklace by cbtscloset, Obama cake, and beebles’ graffiti-style necklace)

All of the parks in Seattle are beautiful, but Sculpture Park is somewhat awesome. My favorite thing to do on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning or afternoon for that matter is to find myself a nice stretch of green grass where I can lay out and soak in some rays. Come on, try it. Bring yourself a blanket lay back and stare at a cloud.

Cloud staring is so underrated.

Here is my last weekend adventure in Sculpture Park. Last Saturday was Tai Chi Day - and they were giving free lessons in the park. How cool is that? Not only can you get a free lesson or too but it’s always packed with joggers, walkers, and bikers. I heart it because of the art, the length of it - that park is long, and you can hear a mix of waves crashing, barge horns, trains, birds, and children’s laughter.

Enjoy!

This class was all about collage and mixed media and texture:

At the end we folded them over and made books out of them.

CIMG2261, originally uploaded by Me Amy Lee.

The wait is over!! And thanks for you eagerness to see mandala!

As I said, I was surprised with my colors at Artfest - I guess I bought them so I should have expected the vibrance but soo pink?? I was shocked when I set my mandala up at the end of class. So when I got back to the dorm I set-up shop in our “Art Asylum” area and when to work adding stains (thanks Candi) and really darkening the mandala a bit - after it dried I still wasn’t pleased, so I gave it a layer of white thinking I’d start over… I like the way the white really made the mandala pop. I’m still planning on adding some doodle to it and maybe expanding the outer rings or added shading to the inside too.

I have a little 10×10 inch elephant board I can’t wait to get started on… I’m going to the Paper Source this weekend searching for new backgrounds to work with… yay mandalas!

CIMG2150, originally uploaded by Me Amy Lee.

Where do I begin?

This event was so wonderful. I was like art camp for adults. And I so happy I did it finally!

My classes were amazing! I learned mixed media, collage, and assemblage techniques I just never would have learned from a book. And the other artists, bonding, connections, feel good energy… I just can’t wait for next year. Not to mention the food was delicious and right on time… every meal!

My first class was Mixed Media Mandala with Anahata Katkin. The class was great - all the students were awesome artist in there own right and Anahata was so inspirational and just a great teacher. She totally had us on a strict schedule and encouraged us to let go and get it done. We had a full-day to work from 9am to 4:30pm with an hour break in between for lunch and we cranked the whole time. I learned that gel medium is my friend - so are layers and layers of background papers and paint and also doodling on the canvas at the very end. Our class list included fabric paint (by Folks) that comes in a pointed nose tube so can be squeezed and used similar to a pen for doodling. One student bought a plastic tube with the pointed nose tip and put her own paints in there which I plan on doing as well.

I was also inspired to buy more paints… I’d bought some new student paints, A-2 by Chroma, which had wonderful vibrant colors but my piece turned out so different than any of my other work. I’ve usually stuck with more earthy tones and been obsessed with brown paper bag color and such. I still am but I’m loving the pink now. At first I was taken aback and surprised and even denounced the bubble gum pink I created then I thought maybe it’s a new phase and have embraced it. I’m feeling these colors: metallic copper, silver, deep mauve, fushia, pale pink, baby blue, and neon lime green.

We also used gold leaf, white transfer paper, and large xeroxed images for the pieces - I am full of ideas for new work, yay! More on my Shivering Fragments class with Lynne Perrella coming soon…

My classes are:

Mixed Media Mandalas w/ Anahata Katkin
Shivering Fragments w/ Lynne Perrella
Stacked w/ Annie Lockhart

YAY! I’ll be back Saturday with pics and adventures…

work

Originally uploaded by Me Amy Lee

This is what I’m working on at work. I thought it’d be cool to add some color and photo to my post. But this not exactly what I’d planned… either way, I’m working away today and enjoying myself just fine.

Cool links:
Flygirls
Joel Osteen
My Thought Coach

A friend and I have been chatting about Meditation, Budism, and the Secret. We attend weekly mediation sessions together and are learning Buddist ideals such as eliminating The Mind of Attachment. It’s been a wonderful 2 week session so far on this topic and I actually have been working on it. In my conversation with my friend, it helps me explain my opinion on the subject and my efforts to release myself from my Mind of Attachment and I can also see her Mind of Attachment working very hard as well to keep her from making changes that could drastically alter her life, in the way she wants.

Over the last 3+ years, since moving to Seattle, I’ve been on my spiritual journey - thru Flowdreaming, Wayne Dyer, podcasting, reading books and meditation sessions. I know I say this from time to time and it’s so true and such a wonderful journey! I have been able to sum my learnings up to 2 things that I’m working on fixing about myself right now. These 2 things are true for me and right now for me.

1. I must think well for myself .
2. I must treat myself the way I want others to treat me.

These are extremely hard to define, not really random but not soo exact which makes them challenging. Thinking well for myself is hard for my mind. For my whole life (that’s 30 years) I have been trying to do things… mainly, wake up earlier and be cleaner or neater. I’m a late-night girl and sort of a spazz and not very through in the cleaning dept. so they are both rather difficult for me. Last night, I realized I can’t force myself to wake up in the morning with my plans and my “oh, how do you wake up so early? i always hit snooze”. That has never worked. So I started to meditate on how good it would feel when the alarm went off the next day and how excited I’d be to wake from a refreshing night of sleep and how happy I’d be to clean some dishes and do yoga and make breakfast and have a relaxing morning before work. And it worked. I woke up, albeit after a 20 minute snooze but I was happy and eager to start my day.

#2 includes pedicures, manicures, new clothes, and ordering what I want when I eat out. It also includes keeping my kitchen spotless, plants watered and alive, calling my friends and family just to talk, and reading books, listening to podcasts, even blogging more and making time for surfing online. I want to give myself time to surf, give myself the lobster and steak sometimes when I go out, buy myself a new outfit every month, and the list goes on… I want people to treat me like I know what’s going on online (hence the surfing), I eat well and treat myself to nice dinners, I dress nice, I have a clean place. It’s not about spending money - I save too, it’s about spending time doing things I want to do and enjoying my life. I want abundance so I operate abundantly.

That’s my mental right now… just 2 things

This Thanksgiving was awesome. The food was great and the company was too! I have been so thankful this year for time. I think back to when I came here in 2004 and all that has transpired since then… I’m still here in Seattle and I actually want to be here. I am growing so much and continuing to grow stronger in my mind and spirit.

I think I’m settling into a wonderful job - I can only believe that this great opportunity is somehow thanks to my flowdream and, of course, hard work. I had such great plans for 2007, I had lists and goals and all kinds of things to do. Coming into 2008 all I can think about is getting closer to those that I love, making new friends, and getting closer to myself and God.

I feel comfortable and happy with myself and my life right now, it ain’t perfect, but I feel like I have worked hard and desire to enjoy my life right now. So as we glide into the holidays and new year, I plan to be bodaciously nice to myself, create a vision board, clear some clutter, and find new ways to give to those I love.

Thank you!

Do you remember the late 80s like I remember the late 80s?? I’m talking 1986, the year of Johnny 5, I thought this was the coolest movie and I remember wishing I was able to read books like Johnny 5. He’s skim though dictionarys and just remember everything, he also learned to talk by watching TV… “Input! Input!” that’s what he’d say while he was soaking it all in.

Anyways, fastforward 21 years and now I’m feeling a bit like that reading all kinds of books and blogs, listening to all these podcasts, talking to people, watching cable - I am overloading. I feel like saying, “OUTPUT! OUTPUT!”, I’m so full right now! But, it’s great. I did get my camera battery last week but I’ve been focused on my car and job not so much taking photos and so I’ve left it at home. I now vow to get that camera and take some pics tonight, tomorrow, and the next day and share them all!

I was reading up on ymib and found others…. bloggers, designers, natural sistas, creatives, like me and was soo inspired by their blogs and artwork! I need to UPGRADE this blog. I also plan on tailoring it more too to my new ventures in spirituality and just overall inspirato. I’m about to launch my re-vamp of my portfolio site, nothing too huge, but flash, fancy, and re-branded.

I whipped up some buiz cards last night to have for the Blk Professionals Meetup I attended at a wonderful new Tea Gallery in West Seattle. It was great fun and I met some cool black folk too. Good networking event.

And this weekend, I’m geeked up about the Crave Show on Saturday. I may have someone to join me but if not I plan on going alone!! That’s right, I’ll bring my cards and make it fun for me! If I go alone, I can see everything I want to see no-guilt. That ain’t bad. They have plenty of booths to keep me busy mixing and mingling and dropping off my cards. I actually need to make some more cards for it too!

leaves

Originally uploaded by joymadison

Is it just me or does inhaling wet fall leaves just put you in heaven too?!? I love me some fall leaves! They are so beautiful and fresh! Last night was wonderfully warm and I spent some time walking around. I am a bit jealous of the 80 degree weather in Cincinnati, but hey I got Pho for the cold days.

• at-home yoga
• the crave show
• full-time hours
• holiday cooking
• cooks at my job
• actionscript books
• my camera battery
• making food at home
• dressing like a grown-up
• free DVDs from the library
• a gourmet kitchen in my job
• events, events, and more events
• a huge flash project at a real company
• the fact that i can now read a whole book

And the leaves are red and orange and smell sweet and fresh! I love the smell of rained on fall leaves and the sound of cars driving on freshly sprinted on streets.

I spoke with my buddy, Nik, last night… she told me about her myspace amongst other topics. (I need to get a myspace someday!) We even discussed a mini-retreat which would involve her coming to visit me here and use exploring the town as only best buds do experiencing spas, shopping, and fine dining! Hopely we can do it soon, perhaps in early ‘08.

‘07 ain’t over yet, but I’m getting that hybernating feeling and thing I may adding relaxing and reflecting to my to-do list for this weekend. I think this year has been great for me. Lot of things have changed and I’ve grown a bunch too. I’m hope to be still here in Seattle and doing well for myself. I think looking forward I’m in a good place to finally start thinking about saving up for a house and building back up my credit by actually getting a few credit cards… I’ve held off long enough! I enjoyed pursuing art this year and making the freelance switch. Now I think I’m ready to plan myself in a few extended 40-hour a week contracts to build up funds and get my house in order. I’m excited for the fall and ready to enjoy the warmth of the holiday season coming here soon! Yay.

I’ve signed up for email blasts and txt messages from EyeCandy. I’m soo excited about it. I’m feeling like a very girlie girl now-a-days thanks to having regular gigs (read: money) and listening/reading HipTranquilChick. I am really feeling foot massages, painting my nails, mediating, facials, and new comfy clothing. I need to get myself some new candles too. Oh and I’ve been bathing and teaing it up with the best of them.

I got my Yoga DVD - it’s actually Kundalini Yoga - the first couple of days, I gave it up… actually I got injured! My bad ached for days, it’s a series, fast-paced work out. I decided I will take it back up tomorrow, and actually maybe a bit tonight too before dinner. But I’ve also decided I’ll need to invest in some weights as well - I want to build up these poor little muscles!

I finally got my BB working with the memory card!! I’ve downloaded plenty of podcasts, gotten the earbuds to work (with a Verizon brand adapter - the Radio Shack one’s didn’t work for me), and been listening all day! I also figured out that I can push the little button and turn it off/on quickly, it automatically goes to the next podcast after a few seconds (itunes doesn’t do that), AND I can control the volume on the side of the adaptor… silly me I spent all day pondering if I’d have to try to take the earbuds back to Borders and buy some from Verizon - HAHA, no need.

My next geek fix will be my new battery for my camera… and it’s only $7 bucks on Amazon!!! I am crazy to have not even looked before now I could have been taking pics months ago - not to mention I was considering buying a new camera!

Anyways, payday is coming here soon, I had today off and journaled and cleaned and collaged, and I will be in the studio tomorrow - I’ve got some cool plans for some fall pieces with texture and trees and maybe nice quotes and leaves of color… not sure if I may decide to drop out of my class because I just got a new gig and I may want to make a good impression a.k.a. not taking off on Wednesday for art classes. But perhaps they will seem cool and I can work with them - we’ll see soon.

OH and the best news of all!!! I’m going to get my car fixed with this check!!! I’m going over to get it towed from the mechanic’s that had it for 1+years over to the Auburn VW!!! Yippy. I don’t care how much gas is!!! I’m buying some!!! I can’t wait to be rolling again and right on time with having a gig, hopefully it’ll last pretty long and I actually am interested in seeing where it can lead. I will be a flash designer at a pretty well-known and well-designed huge site. This may be the start of a beautiful gig! As long as I make it to Dec.14th with them. I’ll be stoked!! And I also have some friends in Bothell. I still need to get busy on my flash portfolio site. I could just update it a bit so the one page is great and I can get my business cards made soon. So I’ll focus on EJ’s b-day gift (framed photos) and a quick page and business card mock-ups for this weekend.

Yes. I do love the life of freelancing. Sometimes I have gigs, sometimes they fall thru, then I get even better opportunities - right when I least expect it! I’ve been on this job for 3 weeks now, it may extend into next week, I have a one day gig lined up, and just met last night about a nice job that would be a great challenge, great money, and pretty quick.

I also had a fun day in the studio yesterday - I’m working on monoprints and colliographs. I am experimenting. It’s hard - I want to go back to paper litho. I actually came up with an idea to mix the two on an illustration piece for Strange/Reveloution. Oh yeah, and I got some cheap BFK - like half the price of what I normally pay. My plan is to stain it with tea and try to get my desired brown paperbag look… I can fold a long slice into and accordian fold book and print seperately… Make a some small prints on each page and see how that rubs me. That may work but the draw-thru isn’t so fine for my self-portraits. And image transfering line art ain’t so easy. Neither are poly plates for that… hmmm. I’ll have to try another method. Maybe I’ll just have to directly drawn on them - ekkk!! Or I could tissue paper print them and glue on after… I don’t know if i’d like that texture… I’ll talk to my teacher, Rickie, about it.

Ohhhh and AK found my charger for my camera battery - 4 years later - but it doesn’t seem to be charging the battery… must be dead. I’m gonna have to buy a new chargable battery when I get paid. That will be a nice cheap solution to my lack of camera. I can’t wait!!!!!!

I’m sitting here at Vivace’s with little Viva, working on some stuff online. It’s taking foreeeva to upload the files so I decided to blog. I’ve been obessively listening to podcasts again lately, my new fav is Hip Tranquil Chick!

It’s so awesome, I bought her book and a few others she recommended and also a yoga DVD I’m expecting anyday now! Yay. Thru her podcast, I’ve come to learn that yoga ain’t just about stretching… it’s actually more about self-awareness and meditation - two things I’ve been working on for the last 3 years!

I’m halfway thru her book, on podcast #31, and very excited to get started with the yoga DVD! I also plan to have some headphones soon for my BB so I can listen to the podcast I’ve downloaded on it. (Another wonderful feature of my BB - it now has 2GB memory chip for video, photos, and mp3s!!)

Anyways, Viva and I will be here a bit longer then we’re off to run some errands and maybe hit up a fun party later… then it’ll be back to work this evening.