The Fruits of Dusting Off My Arts Supplies.

I've got the bug; starting an oil painting soon. As it's been over four years since I've decided to give art another serious shot, it'll probably take me a hot minute to get my bearings. These are examples of my first attempts: 


ink on cardstock: 






watercolor:






 
xo.

SHOWS!

flyer designed by yours truly.

The Elusive It; Or Getting Dressed Up For No Reason

There is something immensely satisfying about seeing one’s thoughts written out, even if it is solely for the purpose of one’s own edification. That, and working towards making some sense of the dizzying array of ideas, tasks, goals, distractions, and other such things racing on and around the complex highway system that seems to be ever-expanding in my brain. Whether or not a concrete solution is reached by the time I finish one of these usually droning, un-artistic (or interesting by any means, for that matter) tirades, I still feel slightly more accomplished, slightly more organized. Putting down my pen and surveying the varying depths of the indents in which that pen and I together have freshly scored into the page(s) of some random notebook helps me to feel, at the very least, a tiny bit closer to figuring it out. Oh, you know, ‘it’- the infamous, elusive it that seems to be wily enough to slip through even the most clever girl’s cupped fingers.

Everyone seems to keep finding it in the goodness of his or her heart to remind me that it’s Valentine’s Day today. Don’t get me wrong- I absolutely adore spending hours frivolously obsessing about every girly detail, not to mention having an excuse to finally break out that incredible dress I’ve been dying to wear, but it’s slightly more difficult to be excited about a holiday dedicated to lovers when the object of one’s affection is 3,000 miles away. I guess today is no different than any other day except for the nagging realization that I have maybe enjoyed myself on a total of three (3) Valentine’s Days since the simple days when chocolates, flowers, and a heartfelt love note from Mom were the only things you needed to feel loved. For a Hallmark holiday, February 14^th does an exceptional job of encouraging introspection. Or getting obliterated. Last year, I chose the latter. Today, I will take the time to get into my own head and then spend hours getting too dressed up to work at a bar instead of drink in one.

Here’s to cupping my fingers a little tighter, having an excuse to be ridiculously fancy for no reason, and chasing that elusive it.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

In Keeping With New Years' Resolutions:

I must say that I've really managed to maintain the incredibly high bar I've set for myself in regards to productivity and my New Years' Resolutions. I suppose that writing one's resolutions on paper exponentially increases chances of one actually following through with those resolutions. So here I sit, having totally revamped my website  and feeling fantastic about the recording in which I'm currently immersed.

I also recently dusted off my paintbrushes and art supplies from my art school days; I'm feeling extraordinarily creative and plan to take advantage of it! I'll post some photos when I finish a new painting (which, realistically won't be for another month or so). 

Dylan Trees has several shows coming up, which is very exciting. Please try to make it out- especially to the Hotel Cafe show- that will be a blast!

Feb 6- 9pm @ Joxer Daly's w/ Brandon Reynolds & This Afternoon

Feb 25- 9pm @ Echo Curio

March 25- 11pm @ Hotel Cafe

anndddd.....GO!

xo.

Darlin', won't you stand by me...

hey guys,

In wake of this awful Haiti crisis, I've been doing what I can to try to raise awareness and donate. I'll be holding a clothing/food drive later this week, so please see if you can get anything together for that.

Remember you can always text 'HAITI' to 90999 to donate $10 directly to Red Cross for their Haiti Relief Program. 100% of your donation goes to the cause, and is added to your phone bill at the end of the month.

Also, UPS is shipping boxes 50lbs and under to Haiti for FREE. If you can't meet up with me, please remember that you can send boxes yourself.





thank you.

Do it. The cuddly monster wants you to!

Come to this:










xo!

Oh technology- you and your fickle, fickle ways.

I have officially built my website from scratch not 2, but three times. sheesh. And it's been almost a year since I've been able to update anything on it. I guess I shouldn't count my chickens just yet, because I still can't seem to get Transmit to work, but I've got my fingers crossed.

The layout of the new site is almost identical to the old one, but the NEW site links to *this* blog rather than the built-in one I had been using. Blogger has been treating me well, and it seems less risky not to have to publish the core site all the time.

Realizing that my site hasn't been updated since March of last year makes me all too aware of all of the incredibly interesting things I've been up to during my first year in LA (the anniversary of which was just a few days ago- January 13th!).

I'll spare you the boring details, but I'll try to summarize the cool stuff. Okay, here goes.

I BOOKED AND FILMED A PILOT!!! I've signed an NDA, so I can't say much about it, but suffice it to say that it's awesome and I hopehopeHOPE it gets picked up. eeeee!!!

Dylan Trees (my band) has been doing wonderfully! We finished recording an album and are anxiously awaiting the beautifully mixed&mastered version. We played tons of shows, slowly transforming from a 6 piece to a 3 piece. We also just got back a gorgeous, almost finished version of Topanga- the song we recorded with Tom Rogers for an AIDS awareness compilation.



Dandelion (my solo project from a million years ago) has officially been revived! I've been writing like crazy, collaborating at times, and having a complete and utter blast exploring and testing out the many gadgets I've acquired for my brand new HOME STUDIO! mmm. Lemme look at that stuff again. Oh yeah.



I got the best (money) job I've had since new york! I was hired by this incredible company to open their new bar with them in August, and since then, BIGFOOT WEST was voted one of the top ten bars in LA in 2009!! Quite an accomplishment, and the voters are dead on. This place is amazing. The wood, the music, the clientele, my co-workers, the taxidermy- my goodness, Bigfoot West has it all. Not to mention an incredible selection of beers&bourbons.



I have met INCREDIBLE PEOPLE. My friend Jase introduced me to the boys in Foxy Shazam, who are ridiculously talented and fun to be around. Look out for them- they'll be huge. He also introduced me to John Feldmann of Goldfinger, who I ended up recording a demo with the very next day, and Rob Cavallo, whose THREE Grammys I had the privilege of viewing in real life. hellooo LA! Bigfoot West also introduced me to some of the most driven, most incredibly interesting and awesome people I've met out here. From music to photographs to motorcycles to booze, these ladies and gents know what's what.


Riding with Shannon & the boys.

The roommate situation is better than ever. Erin &Zib are wonderful as always, and we have a new addition to our clan! Zib's boyfriend, Dave, moved in with us a few months ago, and it has been glorious. Not only does the man collaborate with me on Dandelion songs, but he goes to Le Cordon Bleu and cooks delicious gourmet meals ALWAYS.

I guess this update is to summarize how awesome my life is. Though I did promise to leave out the bad parts!

Till next time.
xo