Tangyfruitgirl

drink n' draw

Last Tuesday was my first time attending the local drinkin' and drawin' club aptly named "Drink n' Draw"!  Check it out

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CRAFT Valentine's contest entry

So, I made this, admittedly, very girly gift for Matt for V-day.

And I entered in the CRAFT magazine Valentine's contest on Flickr.  We'll see who they choose!  : )  I love how it turned out and I want to make more door hangers.  I made some cool pins and hair clips too.  I'm in the process of wear-testing them.  If the glue holds up, I'll sell 'em!  (p.s. I always recommend testing your goods before selling!)

Free People Craft Swap

Shadow Box, originally uploaded by tangyfruitgirl.

Hey everyone! I recently participated in the Free People Winter Craft Swap where I was set up with a swap buddy to exchange surprise crafty creations! I was set up with Lizzie Leung who made me the most amazing felt chandelier! I created this shadow box inspired by the 1970s post-psych era. I entered the 3rd dimension by incorporating textural elements like rhinestones, lace, and butterflies that pop out!

I want to explore dioramas/shadow boxes more in the future. It's kinda cool to create a miniature world!

I sold a painting!

I'm so psyched!  Over 6 months ago I participated in the 5"x7" for $30 show at the <a href="http://www.echocurio.com/">Echo Curio</a> in Echo Park, CA.  I have some jewelry there too and totally have neglected to go there to check on it.  I thought I'd go change out the inventory and to contribute to an art auction they are having on Friday (come check it out!).  I was not expecting the delightful surprise that I sold a piece!  This is it!

It's small but I think the buyer got it for a bargain at $30!  : )  I am so happy!  : )  There's still two $30 pieces for sale next to some lovely other $30 cool art.

Here they are close up.

So, there's an art auction at the Echo Curio on Friday.  Well, that's when you can start bidding or "Buy it Now".  I set mine at the low, low prices of $10 each to see what happens!!  I hope there's a bidding war!  I am going to go shop for myself.  I love to have inspiration surround me!  

This one is called "Poppy Power" and is 8"x10".

This one is "Twin Power" and is in an 11"x14" really cool see-thru frame!

Yay!  We'll see what sells!

got a new camera!

I got a new camera so now I can post nicer pix here!  Look how vibrant and crisp this photo of my piece called "Doppleganger" looks  : )

Now showing at the Light Gallery in CM!

These pieces are for sale at the Light Gallery in Costa Mesa for their "$200 or Less Holiday Art Bonanza"!  That's right.  These are being sold at bargain prices.  "Goth Chick" is $200, "Mushrooms" is $60 and "Umbrella" is $60.

I simultaneously have stuff up at the ARTery at the LAB in Costa Mesa for sale.  Mostly it's Xmas cards...  Er... Shop early for next year?  Plus I've got jewelry:  hair accessories and rings.  Both shows run through this weekend so stop on by!

Sorry I've been away for so long.  Work is soooo hectic!  I'm on vacation right now so I got a moment to catch up.  I've been focusing on my art a LOT lately.  I'm currently working on a very special project for a Craft Swap coordinated by Free People, my most favorite modern brand (fav vintage brand is Young Edwardian by Arpeja, btw).

Recent Halloween art show!

Wow! It's been a long time! Much has happened. Mattel has been keeping me busy, of course. Barbie is very demanding!

I've still been keeping up with my art, though, and spending lots of time with Matt. I thought I'd share photos of a group show called "Blood Work" that I had my "Bat Girl" piece at the Artery at the LAB in Costa Mesa.

The show was written up in the OC Weekly and they actually <a href="http://www.ocweekly.com/2008-10-30/culture/the-artery-the-box/">mention me!</a>. "Artists such as Aileen Holmes and Natasha Buruato have a determinedly femme and childlike sensibility...". I'd say that's acurate! Yay!

art show and new job!!

Sorry I have been neglectful, dudes!  But I SWEAR I have very good excuses.  #1 I have a job at Mattel!!  That's right.  Freakin' Barbie.  I am designing Barbie product for the entire world of Barbie licensing!  It's really quite thrilling because Barbie is what inspired me to get into fashion.  Yep, all those hours of making clothes and dressing Barbie in freakin' high school are not quite so dorky now.  They actually led me to become a successful fashion career lady.  (OK.  Maybe it *is* still dorky).

Another excuse is that I had an art show at the LAB antimall in Costa Mesa!  It was super fun making new art for the Artery gallery.  I didn't sell anything but it was so precious and wonderful just to be showing my work in a space I love.  I've been a fan of the LAB since its inception back in high school.  I will try to keep showing my work and creating more but it's tough with my awesome new job.

Another great piece of news, I finally got my own apartment!  I've been living with roomates and my family my entire life.  It's thrilling (and a little bit scary!) to finally have my own space.   I have been perfectly obsessive deciding the color scheme for my place, the layout and whatnot.  I promise to set it up like a "real" artist studio so I can continue to develop my work.  I'm so psyched!  Decorating and furniture selection advice is very much welcome!

free people contest!

This is my entry for the Free People Design-A-Bag contest!!  You can see my entry on their Flickr account here.  Unfortunately, I didn't win but that's 'cause there were so many cute entries!  You better believe that I'll be trying again when the next contest rolls around!  

new paintings at the echo curio!

Hey everyone!  Tomorrow July 11th is a cash and carry show at the Echo Curio.  All paintings are $30!!  THey are all 5" x 7".  So cute!  Here are the three paintings I did for the show.