The first time I remember seeing kids wearing Doc Martens I was in Middle School. Weezer,Green Day and No Doubt were all just starting out, but still I preferred Nike Hi-Tops and Biggie Smalls. Since I missed out on Docs when I was younger, I've been craving  a pair since I've been seeing them show up more and more in stores. When I got a Delia's magazine unexpectedly in the mail today (again reminding me of my youth) I was shocked and instantly smitten with these. xoxo.

At night I've been reading Joan Didion. I'm interested in her voice;the flat yet sharp way she talks about her life and California. There have been thunderstorms here for the past two days that have lasted longer than an hour. When I was younger, I thought this meant it was time for the "monsters" to come out, like some strange call to evil. I still feel that fear lingering any time I'm alone when it storms. With the rain has come a relief from the heat. Working all day in my studio without air conditioning has been difficult, I find myself longing for fall and the scent of dry leaves, signaling Halloween. 

My show opens the day after tomorrow at Mew Gallery. I've been working hard at my paintings and now I'm taking these next couple days to work on new jewelry for the opening. I'm using all the strange and mysterious items in my 'wearable weapons' series. Everything above has a concealed pocket knife except for one vintage cigar cutter. I'll be up all night tonight toiling away under owl light.

xoxo.

Omens

This bird flew into the house today while I was painting. I have no idea how it got in. My cat, Diego Rivera was chasing after it, which is the only reason I knew it was in the house to begin with. I managed to open a window and shoo him out. Only for him to return a few hours later. Considering how steeped in Mythology & the Supernatural I am right now, I couldn't help but think of reincarnation and omens. 
This is part of my show's installation. The shadow box contains a photo of my Mother pregnant with me and my Godmother. They are both femmes fatales!!!

xoxo.

Nadja (In Progress)

This is my newest work in progress for Saturday's show at Mew Gallery. It's a portrait of the Surrealist Muse, Nadja. 

Drawer full of printed paper that I'm using in each painting.

Mata Hari

This is my first piece in my 'Femmes Fatales' series that I am working on alongside my paintings. Please check out my shop for more pictures and details on the necklace.
Notice the contrast between these photos. In her spy portrait she lacks all the drama and glamour of her seducing portraits. They seem to be two different people.

I've been using these photos for reference on the painting of her that I am currently working on. It will show her as a pair of conjoined twins, illustrating the full extent of leading a double life.

Mata Hair was an exotic dancer and courtesan that lived during the early 1900's. As if her life as a seductress of many rich and famous men was not thrilling enough, she lived a double life as German spy during WWI. She is considered the 'Femme Fatale' for her activities as a double agent code named H-21 led to the death of many soliders. I'm interested in the intense parallels of the eroticism and violence that ran like a electrical current through her life.

'The Heart Is A Dagger Above All Else' is the title of my first solo gallery show. This painting is the first I'd completed, it's a portrait of Joan of Arc as she's being called to arms by a mysterious and divine voice. The entire show consists of portraits of 'femme fatales' or deadly women. It will consist of historical women who have been labeled 'femme fatales' by society such as Judith, Cleopatra and Mata Hari, as well as portraits of mythological 'femme fatales' consisting of Vampires and Sirens. I've been studying surrealist women and Klimt patterns for inspiration. I also plan on creating a series of wearable weapons using small vintage pocket knives as centerpieces. The show opens July 26th from 5-9 at Mew Gallery in Philadelphia.