Complicated Interests

My workspace today

2012-02-18T09:40:00.000-08:00

This is how my workspace is shaping up. That pegboard makes me incredibly happy.

A couple of weeks ago, I rode a 70 mile Populaire-scouting mission with my riding buddy, Ely. Next month, we're planning a ride to Santa Cruz. I hope that will make my goal of riding 100 miles in one day. Then the SF Randonneurs' Populaire is March 31st. I learned some things about what to eat and drink on an extended ride, I bonked. Next time I hope to have that stuff worked out.

Work has been quite busy lately and organizing 'on the road' Dr Sketchy's events is more time consuming than usual Dr Sketchy's planning. Oh and I don't even know how to even talk about what is going on with my aging parents, or if I should in this forum. I feel like I have this layer of upset with me all the time. So anything extra just piles on top of that baseline of emo. It is Super.

So today I am looking forward to making some clothing. See ya later, internets.

Dr Sketchy's SF February

2012-02-01T22:56:00.000-08:00

Whew, this past week has been a whirlwind of Dr Sketchy's activity. We're taking it on the road next month and it has made for a bit of extra work planning and getting my to-do list completed.

We've had to make some tough decisions, such as a raise in price, but with event spaces comes rental fees. Also, we're bringing the price in line with most 3 hour figure drawing sessions in San Francisco. To offset that, there is a more 'open' adult beverage policy, and that can keep costs low for a good night out of quality drawrrring.

Without further ado and with utmost excitement, I present :

Dr Sketchy's Anti Art School: San Francisco presents a special event Utrecht

Ben Ahn is the Post Apocalyptic Samurai of your best dreams and most horrible nightmares. Get your draw on with the Dr Sketchy's crew and our wonderful sponsors at Utrecht.

Saturday Feb 25th, 2012

7-10pm * 21+

Utrecht Art Supplies

1930 Van Ness Avenue, San Franciso

We have limited seating and are selling tickets in advance for $15.* We also have a Dr Sketchy's approved drawing kit available with admission for $45.99. The kit is $32.99 on it own (15% off of retail) and you save a couple of dollars on admission.

Buy your tickets and kits: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/225404

Kit includes:
Koi pan watercolor set (with waterbrush)
Mixed Media Field Journal
Micron Pen Set.

Sold with admission to the Utrecht event for $45.99. Kit is $32.99 (15% off retail) This gives a couple of dollars off of the $15 admission for 2/25 event at Utrecht.

***

Dr Sketchy's presents Leigh Crow & Ste Fishell

This event is truly special. Draw over-the-top Leigh and handsome Ste; cast members of the amazing show Vice Palace the Last Cockettes Musical. We highly recommend drawing these two AND going to see the show.
It is playing until March 3rd at the Hypnodrome.

Tuesday Feb 28th, 2012

7-10pm. 21+

$12 in advance, $15 at the door*

Buy your tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/225557

Chicken John's Warehouse

3359 Cesar Chavez St

(between Van Ness Ave & Mission St)

Draw with you soon!

Pegboard 2.0

2012-01-22T21:21:00.000-08:00

This happened this week:

And Pam Palma made a cool calendar: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicigirl/6733111579/in/photostream

Yours truly is January 2013 :)

La Chica BOOM at Dr Sketchy's SF - probably NSFW

2012-01-16T19:31:00.000-08:00

Right, and so last week this happened:

And this
And there's more

And we kind of lost our shit. See more photos here.

I am both humbled and grateful that we have models like La Chica Boom to draw in San Francisco!!

Studio.org

2012-01-15T10:26:00.000-08:00

Since I became obsessed (again) with sewing, I've been a bit dissatisfied with my studio space. I already have oil paints, drawing supplies, a Bedazzler and a leather tooling kit which take up space in the studio. Not to mention books, bikes, my office and closet.

I found inspiration for a solution on Pinterest, this lovely image from Something's Hiding in Here.

I started designing (read, nerding out) on the idea in earnest in December. I took a photo of the space and started measuring and mapping out my needs.

My needs were to get some new tools off of my work table, and I was finding it difficult to cut fabric in such a cramped space. I was getting frustrated with making some cuts, because I just couldn't manipulate myself around the table in a way that made the cut easier.

So I came up with a plan for Phase 1, which would be installing pegboard so that I could move my tools up and out of my way but still within easy reach. I also have always enjoyed hanging photos on the wall for inspiration, to my mother's shock and horror. I have already apologized for leaving this shit for her to deal with after I left for college. Oopsie.

I am much more organized now.

This is what my space looked like on December 18th. That bikey drawing is by the lovely and talented Catherine Mackey. Maybe I should have cleaned up a little.

Phase 1- click on the image to see it bigger in Flickr.

The above is Phase 2

The above images are me nerding out in the Illustrator, putting my continuing education Interior Design skills to good use. I have searched the internets high and low for that awesome sewing table in the BurdaStyle Sewing handbook, but so far I haven't been able to locate it. And the other 3 inspirational images are from the clever folks over at Something's Hiding in Here, design porn at its finest.

I came up with a Phase 1 plan, which consisted of installing the pegboard and Phase 2 which may or may not involve getting rid of the standing shelf and replacing it with shelves on the wall above the pegboard. There are pluses and minuses to getting rid of the standing shelves.

Plus: I would have more space to move around the worktable when I'm cutting.

Minus: I would lose shelf and storage space. I figured this can wait. However, I became obsessed with getting the f*cking pegboard installed 'cause this shit is so cool.

In the 52"x39" space, I was originally going to put in half pegboard, half bulletin board. You can see those dimensions in pink in the Phase 1 image. But as usual idea #1 is ok, but later permutations of this idea were better. We ended up putting in a 4 foot by 4 foot section of pegboard and it is so RAD.

There is more to this story...on December 26th, my friend Jimmy came over and we went to the hardware store to get the framing and pegboard. Turns out both hardware stores near my house were out of pegboard. So we (well, he) installed the framing. I did get to play with power tools and that was super fun. I made some nice cuts.

Ok so today is January 15th. I got the pegboard on Friday. THREE WEEKS LATER. Note to self, when planning a pegboard project make sure it's not the first of the year because apparently everyone has the same organizational project ideas and the pegboard cupboards are bare, both in San Francisco AND Marin.

I was very patient.

January 15th: pegboard has been installed.

And here we go yo! It was so worth the wait and so many ideas have I. The above photo is me messing around with some dimensions. I know for sure that I want to put a bulletin board on it so that I can pin things up for inspiration. And I went with a neutral color so that I can add a lot of colorful things to it.

As this project progress, I'll share more. It is like my absolute favorite thing right now!

Dr Sketchy's SF presents La Chica Boom

2012-01-03T20:01:00.000-08:00

I feel like it has been way too long since I did some proper drawrrring. Next week we kick off the year with a bang!

Dr Sketchy's Anti Art School: San Francisco presents La Chica Boom!

Bang! This lady has legs for days.
---------------

Tuesday December 10th, 2012
7-10pm
21+
$12 general admission. $10 students/teachers
111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna St, SF
www.drsketchyssf.com

---------------

What is Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School?

Dr Sketchy's is an international drawing phenomenon.

Dr. Sketchy's is the little Brooklyn event that became a movement. Founded in 2005 by artist Molly Crabapple, Dr. Sketchy's asked a simple question. Why can't drawing naked people be sexy?

In San Francisco, Dr Sketchy's gives you a monthly opportunity to draw rhinestone encrusted burlesque performers, bearded ladies, cute girls on bicycles and anything else we can conjure up to tantalize your pencils.

To find out when the next Dr Sketchy's is happening, join the mailing list and/or subscribe to the blog at www.drsketchyssf.com

---------------

Please visit our fine sponsors:

Baby Tattoo Books www.babytattoo.com
Utrecht Art Supplies www.utrechtart.com
What Katie Did Lingerie: www.whatkatiedid.us.com

Pattern Tracing

2011-12-31T19:46:00.000-08:00

Since I received the Colette Sewing Book in November, I have been doing some thinking about my closet. I have been considering which clothing is my favorite and why and I also drew a croquis of myself for rendering shapes on my body. It has been very informative.

What I discovered is that my favorite pieces seem to have puffed sleeves, because it balances out the curve in my hips. In fact my very favorite item of clothing is a pink gingham shirt that I've had for years. In an attempt to recreate this shirt, I found the Simplicity pattern 2246.

I think the bodice could be a close replica of this favorite shirt:

It's close, though there is no front or back yoke and the gingham shirt is more of a popover style, like this Jcrew shirt:

One of the suggestions in the book is to trace patterns, rather than cutting them out. It means the pattern stays intact, which if the sizing turns out wrong, means the additional sizes are intact. So that's a plus. Also, the traced pattern is on sturdier paper and will (I think) last longer. Oh and you can slash this paper and make sizing adjustments easier on this than on the tissue included in the pattern.

It took about an hour to get this shite traced, and I wouldn't say it is a fun task, but it is in some ways satisfying. I mean, I know that I'm doing it the right way. And it's hopefully a good investment of my time. A friend said she could help me fit the bodice on Monday if we have time, and I figure that this is a Spring dress (or shirt) and I have plenty of time to work on it and to do it correctly. So this is just a small time investment considering the entire process and hopefully I end up with a pattern that I can make again and again because it fits me well.

this is what a traced pattern looks like
my burlesque-y goddesses were watching over me. They say I did a good job.
Oh yeah, this is what I saw on my bike today. Didn't suck! Happy New Year!

Denim: ENHANCE

2011-12-30T18:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, I was tempted by the above photo on the Kit Kraft site, but no I didn't go all the way there.

I just enhanced the collar. See?

Goodbye 11, Hello 12

2011-12-26T11:50:00.000-08:00

Hello 2012, I'm excited about you.

I like to write out my goals every year in a small special book. Every 4 months or so, I try to get back to it, review my goals and see where I am. I try to write down the things that I have accomplished during that time and acknowledge that I'm doing well or be easy with myself if times are tough.

I did this a time or two on the blog, and I'm trying again this year. It's been a big year for a lot of things, both good and bad. And because I am complicated, everything always feels complicated. And I have many interests, so there you go. There's my blog title.

I read a lot of blogs and I'm still working out what exactly I am doing here. This blog is not about one thing, and that may be weird. Most bloggers tend to stick to one subject. The categories that I tend to read the most in Google Reader are Art, bike, fashion (includes a lot of sewing blogs) or blogs that are local to San Francisco. And my blog tends to incorporate all those things. I guess it's cool. I like what I do, I have no idea whether people are interested in it, but I like to write and share so I think I'm going to keep doing this.

I have a list of accomplishments from 2011 in the relationship, art, bike and OMG now sewing categories!
• Moved into a fabulous new apartment with Handsome Bill
• Acquired a road/distance bike: the Box Dog Bike Pelican, (which has what I considered at the time 'grown up' (drop) handlebars)
• On the before-mentioned bike I: completed the Western Wheelers Sequoia Century in June (20 miles), the Marin Century 100K (60 miles) in August, and about half (40 miles) of the SF Randonneurs' Populaire in October. Unfortunately this ride came during a crazy busy time at work and I was exhausted so I'm proud of myself for giving it a good effort. My artwork ended up on the poster, thanks to Ely .

• I conquered Mt St. Page, and never looked back at the Wiggle
• Started the bike camping mods on the Rivendell
• Painted some Timbuk2 bags for Winterfest
• Produced 20, that's right twenty, Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School events including Comic Book Babes, Cute Girls (this time with dudes) on Bicycles, Summer in the City, and Girl-Girl Boy-Boy Tango
• Filled lots of sketchbooks

• Published a book with Johnny Crash
• I made my first Fall palette challenge, inspired by Colette Patterns:

• Then I made this, this and this. It is great to see the inspiration and the results.
• Went to France, Viva Las Vegas, South Carolina to see my folks' new home, Los Angeles, and Japan
• Decided my varied interests weren't represented well enough with my old website, and decided to start writing on this blog again. Eventually pointed my domain name here!

I have a few goals for 2012:

• Ride 100 miles in one day
• Finish the Rivendell bike camping mods so that I can go bike camping!
• Complete more SF Randonneurs' rides, including both Populaires
• Commit to weekly rides, perhaps with these ladies
• Encourage more folks at my office to fill up our bike racks (ride to work)
• Perhaps start a casual bike learning/workshop/weekly ride at my office
• I'm curious about fixed and single speed bicycles
• Sew. Make dresses, pants, shirts
• Reorg my studio to better accommodate sewing and fabric storage
• Create events based on long standing ideas at Dr Sketchy's. So. many. ideas!!

Announcing our book!

2011-12-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School: San Francisco

Presents

***

I am so very pleased to present our book! It contains 40 pages filled with Johnny Crash's signature photos of the finest Dr Sketchy's SF moments from the past year.

- Alice Stribling

Order the iPad, iPhone version for $8.99.

Order the Printed Book for $39.95.

To order and see a preview, click on the link below:

My year with Dr Sketchy's San Francisco | Make Your Own Book

Red flirty skirt: almost effing done

2011-12-18T14:07:00.000-08:00

I was attracted to this red for my Colette Patterns Fall palette challenge:

I thought it was a cotton stretch twill and I was going to try to make pants with it, but I think it was misfiled in the store and must be a synthetic. Since it was not super high quality, I made a quick pattern rather than spend a lot of time on it.

I was sick this weekend, so the Ginger received some attention. This was my first attempt at lining. Both the color and the lining rock and I'm excited to get this lady done. I'm practicing the Catchstich and hemming this by hand though, so it's slow going.

Summering in the south of France with Diane Olivier doesn't suck

2011-12-14T18:00:00.000-08:00

For the last four years, I've spent two weeks of June in the south of France drawing landscapes every day. Let me expand on what happens on a daily basis: drawing landscapes, stuffing my face with goat cheese and swimming.

While it sounds 'rough', actually we do work really hard and I usually have about 20 pastels to show for my efforts.

I'm starting to design Diane's 2012 website and I'm going through photos like these:

Terry Ludwig Intense dark set II. All over me.

Market day

This is what my setup looks like

One of my favorite drawings from last year

The spot where I drew that drarrrring

Rosé, cheese and dead olive soldiers.

Oh and here is one for the bikey folk: my French whip. Our morning routine involves a 6am ride for croissants...

What's on my sewing/craft table

2011-12-11T13:38:00.000-08:00

I have the urge to sew today. I plan on starting on a red twill skirt: either a modified Colette pattern from their rad sewing book or another Ginger.

I don't think the scalloped edge on the Meringue is really me, so I would remove it. Having sewn the Ginger pattern before, this could yield a skirt in a couple of hours, so that might be the answer for a quick sewing fix. We'll see. I'm going to take a trip to Discount fabrics (why is this the only fabric store open on Sundays in SF???) for some lining fabric and then make some decisions.

I also want to try to acquire something tasty for the Peony dress above. After reading about Lladybird's floral and plaid versions, I had to try this pattern for myself.

Sewaholic's post about her top 5 favorite items of clothing inspired this cowl. San Francisco is so chilly right now, more scarves are absolutely necessary. Cowls are perfect on the bike and bikey folk know how great merino is at regulating temperature. I love this color, it's a neutral and yet rich dark navy. I think it will also serve as a go-to piece for me this Winter.

Dr Sketchy's SF projects

2011-12-07T22:19:00.000-08:00

My posts have been very bikey lately, and here is the part where I switch gears and talk about my complicated interests. I recently took down my web site because I felt it was unable to represent all the things that I love in life.

I instead started writing on my bloggy blog and then redirected my domain here so that I can feature all of my ~~interests~~ obsessions. Directing Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School in San Francisco is one of those many and varied interests that I enjoy!

December is challenging for our little event. People are busy, 111 Minna Gallery has a lot of holiday parties on their calendar and often people start traveling towards the end of the month. We took the month off so that we have a moment to relax and plan for January.

Our previous shebang-a-bang was in November, and we had the lovely San Francisco burlesque performer and producer, Bunny Pistol model for us:

I liked how my drawings turned out.

While I made it big in Japan, Diane and Prudence took over for the Amazing Transforming Woman: Half Animal Half Human event.

This month Johnny Crash and I are working on a photo book! It will chronicle the last year of his stunning photos from Dr Sketchy's. We are hoping to get it published (on Blurb) in time for people to order for the holidays.

Johnny put together some amazing shots from the last year and I keep saying it will be nice to show my Mom, as she has absolutely no idea what Dr Sketchy's is about. Excitement!

Stay tuned for news on the book. And if you would like to come draw with us, sign up for the email mailing list, blog or Facebook to find out January dates.

Ladies and gentlemen, you want these!

The sponsorship goodies are arriving for 2012. Retro seamed stockings and 10% off orders from What Katie Did. I know I should find more to say about this than it doesn't suck, but oh man it so doesn't. These prizes rock.

Oh and in the Steve Jobs biography, they just announced the iPad. At first no on knew what the hell to make of it. It's a big phone, so what. But once the thing got on the shelves people went nuts for it. Wozniak stood in line all night and was at the store on his Segway.

Winterfest recap

2011-12-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Timbuk2 canvas messengers were finished in time for Winterfest, yay! I put the finishing touches on the bags Sunday, heat set the paint for added durability and delivered them around 6pm.

The display looked really nice.
One happy winner!

And another happy winner!

This was a really fun experience and I hope to do more projects like this in the future.

Winterfest was a good time. I bid on a gift certificate to the Alembic and a Bi-Rite package, which included a certificate to the store and the book that they just published, "Eat Good Food". I'm intrigued by this book, they are very interested in supporting local farmers and it is supposed to include tips and recipes to help one shop within the season.

I didn't win anything, oh well.

This was a pretty rad painting of Mr. Milk.

And I'm marginally grateful that this little hotty is too big for me:

I could totally see myself having a good time on this little Mikado donated by Citizen Chain. Subtle sparkly red paint, fenders, 70s styling...what's not to love??

Supermarket Street Sweep & (almost) Final Timbuk2 Bags

2011-12-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

I volunteered at the Supermarket Street Sweep race in San Francisco today. We gathered at 11:30 at the Cupid's Span and at noon started registering racers for both the speed and cargo catagories. The point of today's race was to raise food for the SF Food Bank, they are an amazing facility which delivers food to neighborhood pantries, homeless shelters, senior centers and youth programs. They feed over 200,000 people each year.

I helped register folks, then we moved over to the Food Bank and I processed the Speed racers.

This is what it looked like while we waited for the racers:

This guy and his son arrived on a tandem with grocery carts pretty early on, it was quite epic. He brought 840+ pounds of food.
These guys could barely hold up this bike it was so heavy.

One of the 3 bins that we filled with the speed team.

Overall, the SMSW brought in 7,990 pounds of food for the Food Bank. I had a great time, but am exhausted.I came home and worked on these:
The maple leaf bag is inspired by my trip to Japan. Just need to paint two more leaves and then heatset the color. They will be available for auction tomorrow at the SF Bike Coalition Winterfest party.

Timbuk2 bags for Winterfest

2011-12-02T06:56:00.000-08:00

This has been quite an exciting week. A friend of mine called with a cool proposition for painting Timbuk2 messenger bags for the SF Bike Coalition fundraiser (Winterfest) this Sunday.

After a couple of conversations with my best art resource, Diane Olivier, I decided that fabric markers are the best option for materials. Acrylic paint was ruled out because it is plastic and will crack once this bag is really put to use. And the bags are made of canvas, so oil paint is an option, but a layer of gesso is necessary to prime the surface and to keep the oil from eating away at the material. Fabric Markers will hold up to abuse, the color is bright and they are even washable.

I did some tests and played around with some options. I was very pleased that I could use a waterbrush to get some watercolor shading effects. I was a little concerned that adding water would compromise the permanence, but once the test dried I couldn't pick the color up again with the water brush.

With all the testing complete, I jumped right in and drew a bikey one. Handlebars, with lugs! Here are some progress shots.

Front panel.

The second bag is inspired by my trip to Japan. The leaves will be varying shades of red, orange and yellow. There is a tiny red maple leaf sitting on my sketchbook for reference!

If you like these, come to Winterfest on Sunday and bid on them. Profits go to the SF Bike Coalition and to bikey improvements all over the city. I want my Amsterdam bike lanes, damnit. I also want bullet trains, but that's a whole other blog posting.

I like to draw bicycles

2011-11-30T10:20:00.000-08:00

I am sort of obsessed with bicycles. I love to ride bicycles. I enjoy reading about bicycles. But I am particularly obsessed with drawing bicycles.

Bikes are hard to draw, for reals. I host an annual 'Cute Girls on Bicycles' (this year we had a dude!) at Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School in San Francisco. The bikey folk show up along with the regulars, and about halfway through the event the arteests are usually complaining about the bikes. We tend to have the muscle memory to draw the figure but drawing bikes can be a much more difficult mix of angles and geometry. I love it, well I love it when my drawings look good.

I thought it would be nice to post my bike drawings from over the years. I think it was five or so years ago that I started bike commuting and quickly became obsessed with these beautiful and elegant machines. They all have such personality and lovely lines. The drawings in this post go back to 2009, I'll start with the most recent.

This is from last week's trip to Japan, I feel like after the initial study I nailed most of the angles. It gets easier every time.

This Monaco feels like a mid 80s frame. I drew this while at my friend Diane Olivier's art workshop in the south of France this summer. We usually stop by a vide granier (village yard sale) to see what goodies there are to draw. Usually there are fun French bicycles including Peugeots and heavy old lugged frames with cool panniers, but this year I only found this one. I sold this to my friend Catherine Mackey.

Hello Sarah Murder! I did this drawing at Dr Sketchy's in May. We had 4 models posing with bicycles. Sarah did an epic two minute track stand for the warmup gestures. This is not it, that drawing consists of mostly scribble and panic. Two minutes is not enough time to render a figure and bike.

The Box Dog Pelican went into the sketchbook as soon as I got it home in February, because I am a woman obsessed. This drawing was featured in the SF Randonneurs' Populaire poster. Thanks Ely of Ruth Works SF for putting out the call for art, and for designing the poster. Sidenote, Ely and I share an interest in sewing and we had a fun time sewing bags together recently. I sold this color original as well.

See? Obsessed.

And this is what happened when the Rivendell Sam Hillborne came home in 2010.

2009 travel sketchbooks, France and Italy.

I'm starting to see people and objects as shapes when I draw them. I think this is a good thing, it means the part of my brain that thinks it knows what something looks like is turning off a bit and the real 'seeing' is happening. It feels like my hand just knows what shape to draw. It's cool.

My interests in bicycles are changing as well. First I was really into lugs, then I wanted a faster distance (Rando) bike, and I am beginning to get interested in fixed geared or single speed bicycles. The more I read about the simple elegance and fun of fixed geared bicycles, the more I want to ride them.

I have to admit that I'm also slightly influenced by Velouria of Lovely Bicycle. I figure that if she can ride that unbelievable Mercian, I can do it too. :)

Sort of off topic, but I'm reading the Steve Jobs biography and I'm at the part of the book where he and Jony Ives designed the first iMac and Jony added a handle, which was a manufacturing nightmare, but Steve approved it right away. It wasn't a portable computer necessarily, the handle was there to invite people to touch the machine, because at the time most people were scared to touch computers. It added a sense of play. I think that's beautiful.

Moe Moe...Nya Nya!

2011-11-28T17:52:00.001-08:00

I've been trying to explain the concept of 'moe moe' to people for the last couple of days, but it's difficult so I thought I would try to explain it here.

Going to the Maid café in Akihabara kind of blew my mind, but in a good way. I really enjoyed it and it was fun, but it definitely left me thinking about this concept of 'love' or 'protectiveness' of the little girl Manga stereotype going on in Japan. Supposedly it's non-sexual?, and it is VERY interesting.

From the Wikipedia article:
"Moe (萌え?, pronounced [moe]) is a Japanese slang word. It means "a rarefied pseudo-love for certain fictional characters (in anime, manga, and the like) and their related embodiments."[1] Patrick W. Galbraith[2] notes that it is a pun derived from a Japanese word that literally means "budding," as with a plant that is about to flower, and thus it can also be used to mean "budding" as with a preadolescent girl.[3] Since the word is also a homonym for "burning" pronounced moe (燃え?), there is also speculation that the word stems from the burning passion felt for the characters.[4] The word has come to be used to mean one particular kind of "adorable", one specific type of "cute", mainly as applied to fictional characters.
The word is occasionally spelled Moé, and was originally related to a strong interest in a particular type or style of character in video games, anime or manga. "Moe!" is also used within anime fandom as an interjection[citation needed]. Girls who are moe are called moekko (萌えっ娘?) from the honorific "娘" meaning "female child"."

This is a flyer from a Maid Café:

And this is us having a silly, ridiculously good time at MaiDreamin:
With our hands, we are making the 'nya nya' or I think 'meow meow' sign. Holy effing crap it was fun.

Fall colors

2011-11-27T20:31:00.001-08:00

November is the perfect time to visit Kyoto. Because it was just starting to get cold at night, the Japanese maples were turning amazing shades of red, orange and purple. The leaves at the tops of the trees are exposed to the light and cold, so they turn red first.

Kotu-In Zen Temple

Bill and I enjoying the temple. Photo by our wonderful guide, Kenzo Sato.

Japanese maple leaves study.

The trees outside of the ryokan.

Bikes in Japan

2011-11-26T21:21:00.001-08:00

I had many opportunities to enjoy the bicycles in Japan.

One morning I wandered through the Nishiki market in Kyoto and got to draw this lovely old lugged porteur. There was a label on it somewhere that had 'Swallow Cycle' and the head badge is 'Art Flex' and 'Ary' with a bicycle wheel on it.

I felt like I was in the way while drawing this one, the people running the stall were popping in and out around me, probably confused at why this crazy Westerner wanted to draw this old bike. She's a beaut. Like all bikes in Japan, this was locked only to itself, not to an immovable object. It boggles my mind, but that is how it's done.

Handsome Bill and I hired a wonderful guide, Kenzo Sato, and he took us for a cycle tour around Kyoto on our Mama Charlies. Since mostly grocery shopping ladies ride this style of city bike, that's what the locals call this frame style with the baskets in front.

Hello Imperial Palace!

More Mama Charlies.

Kenzo was a fantastic guide, I'm so so glad we hired him. He helped us get used to the subway, he took us to the Maid café, and to many beautiful temples. He also took me to a special Kimono fabric 'store', which is actually a house not a commercial store. It was a unique experience, I know that I would have never had found this place on my own.

Had to take a fashion shot of my Japanese whip, yo.

FUGU

2011-11-25T17:34:00.001-08:00

FUGU, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

We wandered through the Nishiki market while in Kyoto and I had to draw this puffer fish.

While I was drawing, the fish would twitch and open it's mouth because it was so fresh. It was both creepy and fascinating!

Colette Patterns Fall 2011 Sewing challenge

2011-11-17T22:54:00.001-08:00

Colette Patterns Fall 2011 Sewing challenge, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

So far I've made two items, the Ginger skirt in denim and my snakeskin a-line dress. I'm really loving this challenge!

Here is the snakeskin dress.

My First Metric Century: the next day

2011-08-07T10:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I completed the Marin Century 100k ride. Woo!

I felt like writing about it so that I can have a journal of sorts about these experiences as I go through them and also make some notes for next time.

My riding buddy and I had been looking forward to this for quite some time, but I found out Friday that she was out due to health issues. Sad face. I knew an acquaintance was going and might know someone who could give me a ride to the start in San Rafael, so I reached out to her and she offered a ride! It was kismet. I was a little nervous that it might mean riding by myself all day, but I was rolling with it.

5am arrived before I was ready to roll out of bed, I met up with Kristen and Tom, we had a nice chat on the way. We started out riding together, they had to stop for a quick fix to Kristen's bike, they caught up to me and of course passed me. That was really the thing I got used to yesterday, being passed. By schools of flying fish in full glorious kits and pumping legs. Holy crap, I am no speed demon. I got used to that and comments about the Pelican. I received many 'beautiful bicycle' comments and a few 'wow, props to you for riding the whole way on your commuter/cruiser'. It was very interesting. I felt like mine was the only fendered bicycle on the road.

The route was beautiful. We had fog and grey weather until about noon. I was passed oh so many times on the climb up to Big Rock. After that, Lucas valley road was fun, lots of little rolling hills with passing redwoods and curvy lanes. Then we came to the first rest stop of the day in Nicasio.

Couple of climbs after that, the 2nd I wasn't expecting. I was in my lowest gear, (hanging on for dear life), the sound of my breathing keeping me company.

Petaluma rest stop was next, we were halfway, yay! I enjoyed the hell out of the flamboyant young man in his school girl outfit dealing gatorade. He said he liked the birds on my jersey, I said they were swallows. His comment after that, "we have SO much in common". He was FIERCE and he made me laugh.

I was considering skipping Chileno/Wilson Hill/Hicks Rd. I did it and walked the hill. There is no shame in walking. Fuck that hill.

The view from the top was nice though.

The return to Vallecito elementary school was ok. By kilometer 86 I was ready to be done. A group of gals in Velo Girl kits passed me and I hung on for dear life to a gal named Laurie's tire, she chatted with me up one of the last climbs and it made a HUGE difference. I just needed a bit of distraction to keep going.

I made it back, met the only other fendered bikey person at lunch, a randonneur! (I spotted him in the Rivendell hat and Paris-Brest-Paris jersey) We chatted for a while and afterward my mind sunk into a weird place. I wanted to get home, started riding towards the Larkspur ferry, didn't have the energy and turned back. Kristen and Tom were riding the 100 mile, so they were going to be a while. I felt a little desperate. I called another friend who lives in Marin on the off chance that she could give me a ride to the ferry.

Catherine and John came to the rescue and we had a nice chat and some beers in her backyard before she gave me a ride back home.

Things I learned and want to prepare for my next big ride (the SF Randonneurs 115K Populaire Oct. 1st):

• I experienced lower back pain & neck pain, the bike may need fit adjustments

• bring my own Advil, apparently one must sign a waiver for this on an organized ride

• have an escape plan in place if needed (handsome Bill in a zip car? friends? teleportation?)

• I want to learn more about being 'self supported' and what that entails I need to learn about bike maintenance

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender 2010

2010-04-05T19:47:00.001-07:00

04.02.10 VIva 2 hair combo, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

I curled my hair, sketched, and enjoyed great music at VLV 13 this year.

There are many more sketches and photos on Flickr. Enjoy.

2.11.10 Marav

2010-02-11T22:18:00.000-08:00

I had a good time drawing tonight. I brought my Aquarelle crayons to try and give those a go, but stuck with the watercolor. It's fun and it suited our model perfectly.

I'm enjoying drawing the short poses with overlap. It means I save paper and it's a bit more challenging and interesting.

I'm particularly fond of the last drawing, the fabric was really fun to do.

Models with pink wigs...

2010-02-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

are the best!

01.28.10 Roelle

2010-01-30T16:26:00.001-08:00

01.28.10 Roelle 2, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

Thursday night's model dances on walls! His poses were graceful and very interesting.

01.21.10 Syra 3

2010-01-22T20:38:00.001-08:00

01.21.10 Syra 3, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

Syra wore Diane's leather jacket for this pose. I used pen with water mostly and I like the way it turned out.

01.21.10 Syra 2

2010-01-22T20:37:00.001-08:00

01.21.10 Syra 2, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

I have been exhausted this week post Dr Sketchy's but managed to make it to drawing Thursday. I'm glad I did, we had a very flexible and interesting model, Syra.

01.19.10 Dr Sketchys Roller Derby

2010-01-20T22:18:00.001-08:00

01.19.10 Dr Sketchys Roller Derby 6, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

Oh lord did we have fun at Dr Sketchy's last night.

I posted some drawing of the Bay Area Derby girls on flickr. Now I'm going to go fall on my face from exhaustion.

lovems.

I have a weakness for hand tooled leather

2010-01-16T17:56:00.001-08:00

01.16.10 First project, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

Handsome Bill gave me a leather tooling set for Christmas! This is a first step of messing with the tools to see what they do.

I have a deep appreciation of hand tooled leather and want to make some cute bags.

01.16.10 Prudence #3

2010-01-16T12:53:00.001-08:00

01.16.10 Prudence 3, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

Our model on Thursday was the lovely Prudence, she works with my small group of artists and helps us book models.

She always poses for us at least once a session and she has all the sexy costumes and accessories that I like: leather gloves, lace skirts, and thigh high stockings.

01.07.10 Thursday night group

2010-01-09T12:50:00.001-08:00

01.07.10 Kelly3, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

I did several pen and watercolor drawings Thursday night.

It was a particularly lively night, full of off-color jokes and mayhem. Elsa said 'cunt' and I just about fell out of my chair.

Elvgren inspired watercolor

2010-01-03T18:05:00.001-08:00

Elvgren inspired watercolor, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

I have recently been inspired to add some painting to my drawing.

I love this woman's work: Luma Rouge http://lumarouge.tumblr.com/

I'm totally inspired by the dancer with the feathered headdress. It's such a fast and effective way to get a lot of movement and shadow/tone into a quick sketch

I also love Marc Taro's rendition of Bunny Pistol from Dr Sketchy's: http://tarosan.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/bunny-pistol-drsketchys/

In trying to use what I have rather than caving to the instinct to buy something new, I used a travel set of watercolors that I found this summer in Pietra Santo Italy. I'm glad I did. The quality of paint is wonderful and rich and creamy and the colors mix really well.

My sketch is of a Gil Elvgren painting. That man knew what he was doing when it came to painting luscious women.

I have been making art. really

2009-12-14T19:45:00.000-08:00

It feels like I haven't been making art lately because I haven't painted in some time. But actually, I have been quite busy drawing and hosting Dr Sketchy's SF.

These are a couple of my favorite drawings from the last couple of months. I go to a small Thursday night group to get my draw on.

Tomorrow night

2009-11-23T12:54:00.001-08:00

Dr Sketchy's SF 11.24.09, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

You should be here!

10.22.09 Judith

2009-10-23T08:17:00.001-07:00

10.22.09 Judith, originally uploaded by Alice Stribling.

Last night our group drew the lovely Judith. She is a dancer and her capacity for holding interesting poses is quite impressive!

Fall figure drawing

2009-10-16T09:02:00.001-07:00

10.15.09 figure drawing
Originally uploaded by Alice Stribling

Work life has been a bit stressful the last couple of months and I am happy to once again have my weekly figure drawing group.

We started up again last night and Itried some new things, one of which is pen 'painted' in with the Faber Castelle big brush pen. DIane Olivier turned me on to the light grey, which is completely fabulous because it's just a hint of color at first but can be built up to add dimension.

I'm totally digging it.

Time for a Peugeot jersey and some big hair!

2009-08-31T06:53:00.000-07:00

Pin it up Babycakes on Inside City Limits

2009-04-02T11:01:00.000-07:00

Sketch Tuesday & Dr Sketchy's, all wrapped up in a tasty Tuesday taco

2009-02-23T19:52:00.000-08:00

Tell the rain to go f*ck itself and enjoy your tomorrow night @ 111 Minna Gallery!

Pin it up Babycakes is up until Feb 28th and your walls look empty, baby.

"Pin it up, Babycakes was created by artists and burlesque enthusiasts Jessica Whiteside and Alice Stribling.

This exhibition features art inspired by pinups that span many genres: including hot rod, cheesecake, faux advertisements, and modern burlesque influences."

Enjoy looking over the shoulder of an exciting artist at the Sketch Tuesday tables or doodle T&A with Dr Sketchy's!.

Sketch Tuesday:
"111 Minna Gallery is pleased to announce the second 'Sketch Tuesdays' of 2009 and the 30th time we've held the event! Each month the gallery hosts an evening of live art making featuring both established and emerging Bay Area artists. Inspired by Southern Exposure's Monster Drawing Rally, 111 Minna offers patrons the opportunity to see local artists at work and get acquainted with them. It is also a way for artists to meet each other and to be inspired by each other's creative process."

Dr Sketchy's Anti Art School:
Founded in NYC by the infamous Molly Crabapple, Dr Sketchy's can now be attended all over the world. Come to the San Francisco chapter and develop your boob-drawing skills, have a drink and be entertained by the delicious models!

- Featured model is miss "Tricksie Treat"!
- Special guests, "Fromagique" and your favorite DJ, "Randy Johnson"!

Date:
Tuesday, February 24th from 6pm -10pm

Location:
111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco
111 Minna Street @ 2nd Street
http://www.111minnagallery.com/

Article on Bitch Buzz about Pin it up, Babycakes

2009-01-21T12:39:00.000-08:00

My friend Kate Kotler interviewed Jessica and I about the show. Her article is up on Bitch Buzz!

You can read about our adventure here: http://culture.bitchbuzz.com/fishnets-tarts-the-art-of-the-modern-tease.html

My Art for Pin it up, Babycakes

2009-01-18T13:25:00.000-08:00

"Kitten on the Keys"
16x20"
Oil and Swarovski crystals on canvas gicleé
$500

"Catherine D'Lish"
16x20"
Oil and Swarovski crystals on canvas gicleé
$500

"Dirty Martini"
16x20"
Oil and Swarovski crystals on canvas gicleé
$500

"Sweet M'alice self portrait"
30x40"
oil on canvas
$1500

"Sweet Cheeks"
30x40"
oil on canvas
$1500

"Bombshell Betty"
30x40"
oil on canvas
$1500

Pin it up, Babycakes: Fishnets, Tarts and the Art of the modern tease

2009-01-07T09:54:00.000-08:00

It's been a year in the making! The red hot pinup & burlesque art exhibition everyone has been waiting for is almost here.

The art is outstanding!
The performers are delightful and decadent and half naked!
The film will be filled with shimmying black & white vintage boobs & perhaps a little beefcake!
The sexy vendors are busily making their wares! For you! For your Valentine's sweetie!

Mark your calendars for Opening night: February 5th

----------------

Curated by me (Alice Stribling) and Jessica Whiteside.

Artists:
Alice Stribling
Jessica 'Tink' Whiteside
Emma Mount
Shaunna Peterson
Tanem
Darling Propaganda
Molly Crabapple
David Perry
Bombshell Betty
Kirsten Easthope

Opening Night Event:

Burlesque Performers (more to be announced!):
Bombshell Betty & the Burlesqueteers
Tinky Sparkle
Dottie Lux
Bunny Pistol

MC and bawdy musical entertainment:
Kitten on the Keys

Vintage film:
Stephen Parr of Oddball Film

Thee Merry Widows play at midnight!

Press release - For Immediate Release - January 2009

The pinup girl holds a titillating place in history. She and her sister, the burlesque queen, have long been American icons, evolving with the changing tastes of popular culture.

The Gibson Girl of the Gay Nineties may have been fully clothed, but her poses in popular magazines were racy by the standards of the day. She became a superstar whose name is known even today. The Vargas Girl peeking over her shoulder in magazines of the Forties may have worn fewer clothes, but her popularity was perhaps greater than the Gibson Girl. Vargas Girls graced calendars in gas stations and on barrack walls. She flew hundreds of WWI missions on the noses of fighters and bombers. In burlesque houses across the country, the pinup pose moved to the stage with tauntingly slow strip teases and 'oops-what-happened-to-my-clothes' wardrobe malfunctions. The biopic about Fifties pinup star Bettie Page, released in 2006, highlights the current popularity of burlesque and pinup.

The spirit of pinup and burlesque continues to influence new artists. Lingerie clad ladies doing provocative burlesque bump-and-grind pinup poses inspired "Pin It up, Babycakes", an art exhibition created by Alice Stribling and Jessica Whiteside. The show will hang at 111 Minna Gallery from February 5 -28, 2009.

Stribling and Whiteside met in January of 2008, and were excited to find that both were pinup inspired artists. Both artists made the transition from admiring pinup to performing burlesque, and found themselves dancing in Bombshell Betty's burlesque class months later. Sometime between doing the hip bump and tassel twirl, the two discussed the idea of doing a show together. "Pin It up, Babycakes" is the result.

The work in the show ranges from sexily clad Samurai sword swinging chicks on hot rods, to charmingly naughty illustrations with a Victorian flourish. Shelves will be stocked with cheeky cowgirls on bowling pins, along with pinups 'advertising' products like Catwoman's whipping cream, purrrfect on pie.

Opening night festivities will be MC'd by the fabulous Kitten on the Keys, and will include tantalizing burlesque performances. Vintage burlesque film clips hand crafted by Stephen Parr of Oddball Films Archive will be shown. And there will be Sexy Merchandise ... just in time to make you or your Valentine sweetie squeal with delight.

111 Minna Gallery, SF / www.111minnagallery.com
Exhibition Runs February 5-28 2009
Opening Night: Thursday, February 5
6pm-LATE / Must be 21+ / $5 after 9 p.m. for burlesque
www.pinitupbabycakes.com
Sponsored by Dollhouse Bettie Vintage and Pinup Lingerie

2008 accomplishments, 2009 goals

2009-01-01T12:31:00.001-08:00

Every turn of a year I take some time to reflect on the previous 365 days and think about what I would like to accomplish with the year ahead. I have a handmade book which I specifically use to document this process. It was given to me by my friend Flannery Bateman in 2006 for my birthday and it is half full, yay!

A few of my accomplishments from 2008:

• Many pastels, drawings, and paintings: link
• Participated in the 111 Minna Gallery January show and am curating the highly anticipated Pin it up, Babycakes art exhibition: link
• 2 weeks in France making pastels and cafe drawings with Diane Olivier: link
• Barcelona with handsome Bill: link
• Purchased a DSLR and photographed Tease O Rama: link
• performed solo burlesque as Sweet M'alice: link
• performed with Tramp le Monde in her solo debut!: link
• Fell in love with my bike!

A few goals for 2009:

• Focus on art as a satisfying life pursuit: both financially and emotionally
• Set up a potentially naughty 2-3 person exhibition and/or solo show
• Photograph pin ups and burlesque for painting reference: most likely on bicycles, perhaps more erotic
• Sever my mild addiction and lingering flirtation with cable TV and TV in general
• Family, friends, love, life, boobs!!
• Studio space
• Face my fear

Inspiration for 2009

Alice Austen and Gertrude Tate 1891

Alice Austin and ladyfriend

Vintage bicycle ad

Happy holidays!

2008-12-22T14:36:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I head back to the East coast for the holidays. I am on the fence about Christmas for sure: on one hand it is an anxiety producing, over-consumption-encouraging holiday. On the other, I'll see my family for a short enough time that we should be laughing the entire time.

Please oh please Dad don't ask the computer related questions as you know that never ends well. *sigh* It's family, what can you do? They definitely know how to push our buttons.

I found the perfect tree for next year:

And Pin it up, babycakes is coming soon! I have been working on this project for most of the year with Jessica Whiteside. Many, many talented pin up artists in this show. I am really excited about it.

Attack site!

2008-12-01T10:04:00.000-08:00

Yipes, my site was down for a couple of days due to hacker aholes and their wily ways. Since the 21st, it was redirecting to China (!) and is currently being reinstalled.

Thanksgiving was rockin'! Bill and many of my beloved peeps cooked and made merry.

I went for a ride to North Beach:

And am officially bike obsessed:

Stay tuned as there may be pinups on bicycle paintings in my near future.

Although, currently I am finishing up artwork for "Pin it up, Babycakes". This is the brainchild of yours truly and Jessica Whiteside (Tink) and it airs at 111 Minna Gallery in Feb. Don't miss out on the fun or your chance to purchase hot artwork, get yourself on our mailing list!!!

"Self Portrait in Red Nighty"

3 years carless and now I'm bike crazy!

2008-11-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

My company moved in August and since then I've been riding my bike to work. I absolutely LOVE it...which is funny, because I was super anxious about it for the months leading up to the move. I wasn't sure that I would keep up with it, and I had a big obstacle: the 1930s cage style elevator in my apartment building.

The cage is heavy and it must be pulled back 'accordion style' to get you and your shite in it. Needless to say, this stylish and charming old lift is extremely unfriendly to bicycles.

Elevator issues:
For the first riding month I struggled a bit with getting my bike in and out of the elevator, oh and I should qualify this with the fact that I live on the 6th floor, so it is sort of a necessity. Until one day, someone asked me in conversation if the cage didn't have a catch. I guess some of them do. I thought about it, realized that I have a bungee cord that would serve as a 'catch' and holy fucking shit I have solved my problem AND my 6th floor neighbors think I'm brilliant because I have solved THEIR problem as well.

Now I hook the elevator open, load in my bike, load in groceries, whatever. It's totally easy.

Dumbass riding on Division:
For say the first two months, I rode my dumbass down Duboce and Division because that's what http://amarpai.com/bikemap/bikemap.html told me was the most direct route to work.

On the way home I started to notice that the other bike riders would go down Division to Bryant or Harrison and turn left, leaving me the only rider left to fumble my way on the sidewalk because the 5 lanes of Division are scary, then jump off my bike at Zeigeist on Duboce and walk my bike sheepishly up the hill because I wasn't ready to tackle that 70 degree incline.

Then, I had another breakthrough. I checked http://amarpai.com/bikemap/bikemap.html again I discovered that 14th & 15th are the route of choice for biking to and from work. Other bikers gave me clues, THEY had the knowledge. I CAN DO THIS. I CAN bike to work. I CAN do it and it is TOTALLY FUN. Now the bus does not compare.

Last week, I had on my fancy shoes, I wanted to take the bus. There were a bunch of asshats at the bus stop, the bus never came. I WALKED BACK HOME AND GOT MY BIKE. This is the way for me. I feel more a part of my city. This is my time to myself, this is my time to enjoy the world, nature, perhaps some irresponsible drivers, but some considerate peeps as well.

Rain:
So what the fuck am I going to do in the winter? Last weekend it rained. The buses get crowded, they don't always come. The 22 is notoriously late as it is. It's an incubator for evil winter cold germs, it makes me feel a bit compulsive about getting sick...I feel a bit Howard Hughes. All bad things.

So I've been doing a bit of research online about riding in the winter. It seems straightforward enough if one is prepared for it. I need fenders, a raincoat that suits bike needs, some bike maintenance knowledge: these things I can do.

I do not yet know how I will achieve this and maintain cute hair but I feel confident that there are ways, I will learn them as I go.

I am going to poll my friend Jessica Meek because she is also bike crazy and has taken long solo rides and generally rocks my house party when I see her.

Links:

Good resources if you too are interested in biking to work, looking cute while doing it, and being prepared:

SF Bike Coalition http://www.sfbike.org
Riding Pretty Blog http://ridingpretty.blogspot.com
B.Spoke Tailor aka JoyRider Clothing: http://www.joyriderclothing.com/
Paul Dorn's bike commuting tips blog: http://www.runmuki.com/commute/

Dr. Sketchy's at Space Gallery, SF

2008-10-24T16:11:00.000-07:00

I did this little glam sketch at Dr. Sketchy's last night.

Tease O Rama SF 2008

2008-10-08T07:37:00.000-07:00

Tease O Rama = 2 nights, 6 hours each of pasties, glitter, rhinestones and laughs. I'm starting to post my photos!

Here's the set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fourfivealice/sets/72157607841609363/

The lovely Kitten on the Keys

Sweet M'alice and Tramp Le Monde will school you!

2008-09-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday is back to school night with Bombshell Betty's Burlesqueteers!

Tramp Le Monde has a thing or two to teach me about my ABCs. It should be VERY entertaining.

Details and Presale ticket info below the rhinestone encrusted goodies.

9/24: Burlesqeteers Go Back to School

This month, the Burlesqueteers take you back to school! We have
grunge cheerleaders, a sexy janitor, hot student/ teacher action, a
sassy school mascot and much more! You won't want to miss these
school day antics!

Burlesque performances by:

Bombshell Betty
Red Velvet
Mademoiselle Muerta
Tiger Von Claus
Milkshake
Sweet M'alice
Foxy Chartreuse
Kitchy Coo
Bottoms Up
Lil Eva

This month's debuts by:
Tramp le Monde
Miss Fist
Trixie

Odessa Lil is your *thwack!* Mistress of Ceremonies!

Sit back and relax in comfortable theater seating while sipping your
wine and enjoying the hilarious and delightful acts from your
favorite burlesque troupe, the Burlesqueteers!

Doors at 7pm, Show at 8pm

$12 in advance (Will call only)
$15 at the door

Order your tickets in advance here:
http://www.bombshellbetty.net/shows.html
Presale ticketing ends at noon on the day of the show!

Stagewerx Theater
533 Sutter St. @ Powell Street
San Francisco

Pin up artists

2008-09-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

I'm painting today (yes I know it's gorgeous outside) and the painting of Sweet Cheeks requires me to do some research into hands. So I'm going to the most comprehensive site with historical pin up artists like Peter Driben and Vargas, to new artists as well.

http://www.thepinupfiles.com/

And photographing my hands for reference.

This is from the last session with some Photoshop retouching done as well. I'm changing some things around.

Sello tape, Flight of the Conchords

2008-09-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

This is where my head is right now.

Sticky, sticky, sticky...

What a productive weekend

2008-08-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

Work moved (again) Friday, and I was lucky to have the day off!

I spent the day lounging around Kabuki Spa and then I got one of the best massages of my life. Perhaps it was so incredibly wonderful because I needed it so badly, but I suspect that this woman also just has some sort of incredible voodoo in her hands.

Between Saturday and Sunday, I painted for many many hours, which feels fabulous. I have been feeling like I was neglecting my lovely portraits of Bombshell Betty, Sweet Cheeks and myself for too long. But I think I needed to take that break, go to France, practice drawing and come back to them.

I think the pieces needed my new and improved vision. While I was painting, I felt free and a little reckless...like my top might fall of and I didn't care...like that day in France when the storm was coming and I drew everything that I felt and I was at one with the universe.

Sweet M'alice performs next Wed, August 27th!

2008-08-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

Next Wednesday I'll be performing Burlesque at Stagewerks with the sexy and thrilling Bombshell Betty's Burlesqueteers! My act includes bewbies, pink feathers and The Ramones.

It should be a rump shakin' good time.

Get yer presale tickets here!!! http://www.bombshellbetty.net/shows.html

Additional details below the lovely photo (shot by Darling Propaganda!).

* * *

Grab your leopard bikini and light up the bonfire, because this month the Burlesqueteers are traveling to the Jungle Exotica! You'll be entertained by wild beasts and Wild Women and enthralled as evil land developers face off with lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!

Burlesque performances by:

Bombshell Betty
Milkshake
Holly Highbeams
Tiger Von Claus
Tinky Sparkle
Bella Cherrie
Kitchy Coo
Lil Eva
Sweet M'alice

With solo debuts by:
Bottoms Up
Red Velvet

And see the Burlesqueteers debut a brand new group number:
A gender bending cancan romp to Marilyn Monroe's "Heat Wave"

Odessa Lil will be our *thwack!* Mistress of Ceremonies!

Plus special surprise guests!

* * *

WEDNESDAY, August 27

Sit back and relax in comfortable theater seating while sipping your
wine and enjoying the hilarious and delightful acts from your favorite
burlesque troupe, the Burlesqueteers!

Doors at 7pm, Show at 8pm

$12 in advance (Will call only)
$15 at the door

Order your presale tickets here:
http://www.bombshellbetty.net/shows.html
Presale ticketing ends at noon on the day of the show!

Stagewerx Theater
533 Sutter St. @ Powell Street
San Francisco, near Union Square

Lovely ladies removing their garments

2008-08-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

More art on Flickr and I'm performing on the 27th

2008-08-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

I have posted some more pastels on Flickr, including some fun sketch book scans!

Click HERE to see the set. The pastels are all 11x14" and $225 unframed. Contact me at alice [at] alicestribling.com if you are interested in purchasing.

Also, Sweet M'alice dances again on August 27th!
My act includes boobies, pink feathers and The Ramones!!!
What does that spell kids?? F. U. N.

More info on Bombshell Betty's Burlesqueteers shows: http://www.bombshellbetty.net/shows.html

Artwork and the Adventures of Sweet M'alice

2008-07-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

Two things:

1) I started posting my pastels from France!

Clicky the pic to see:

2) I'm launching a site to chronicle my adventures as Sweet Ma'alice: Pin Up Doll, Burlesque Beauty and Boobalicious Babe.

www.sweetmalice.com

This is from a fun shoot with the gals from Built for Speed:

France and Spain

2008-07-13T14:57:00.000-07:00

What an amazing trip! Here's a quick link to pics: France and Spain

Me toning paper for a pastel drawing:

I'm trying to get my head out of the fog and back to reality. I hope to have all my new artwork posted soon.

Shoot n Shoot

2008-05-31T08:27:00.000-07:00

Today I am practicing my photography skills with the lovely and talented miss Darling Propaganda. We're doing what I call a 'Shoot n Shoot': I shoot her and she shoots me in return.

I'm excited to get behind the camera to shoot a little tush and tits for painting reference, and it's always fun when she tells me what to do.

Prrrrr.

More Burlesque, this Wednesday 5/28!

2008-05-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

Hello lovelies-

If you missed last week's Burlesque extravaganza, you have another chance to see me perform with the delightful Bombshell Betty's Burlesqueteers this Wednesday in San Francisco.

Details and ticket purchasing information below, I hope to see your shining faces in the audience!

Much love-
Sweet M'Alice

--------------------------

That's right kids! It's time for another Haute House Burlesque Review!!
Brought to to you by none other than BOMBSHELL BETTY'S BURLESQUETEERS!!!

Come one, come all to the Stage Werx Theatre, just off of Union Square, where
we'll be back to amaze and delight as you sit back and relax in cozy theater
seats while sipping your beer & wine and enjoying the spectacle. Quite a nice
alternative to crowded bar shows!

This month's showcase features performances by:

Bootsy la Rue!
Bunny Pistol!
Chi Chis del Fuego!
Ginger Snaps!
Holly Highbeams!
Josie Starre & Sneak-A-Peak Sally!
Kiss Me Kate!
Lida Fire!
Peaches N. Cream!
Ruby Fuerza!
sASSy Hotbuns!
Sweet M'Alice!

and of course,
The Burlesqueteers!

with Odessa Lil as our *thwack* Mistress of Ceremonies!

Wednesday, May 28th
Doors at 7pm, Show at 8pm

Stage Werx
533 Sutter St. @ Powell Street
San Francisco
www.stagewerx.org

$12 in advance(will call only) @ http://www.bombshellbetty.net/shows.html
$15 at the door

The venue is a small, independent theater, and seating is limited,
so buy your tickets in advance! Presale ticketing ends at noon on the
day of the show!

http://www.bombshellbetty.net/shows.html

Performing my debut solo Monday!

2008-05-18T08:40:00.000-07:00

I'm performing my VERY FIRST SOLO Monday night at Hubba Hubba in Oakland. This is Bombshell Betty's Burlesqueteers night with the silly and delightful Hubba Hubba crew. Please join us!

Details below:

Uptown Hubba Hubba is back this Monday, 5/19, with BOMBSHELL BETTY'S
BURLESQUETEERS! returning to shimmy, shake & grind their way into your hearts
and psyches.

Booze, Beauties, Funny Fat Guys & Rockin' Good Times for all!
Now that's a damn good Monday night!

featuring...

Bombshell Betty!
Bunny Pistol!
Kiss Me Kate!
Josie Starre!
Miss Kittie Whip!
sASSy Hotbuns!
Ginger Snaps!
Sweet M'Alice!
The Burlesqueteers!
Zip the What-Is-It!

And everyone's favorite drunks/MC's, Kingfish & Eddie

Doors 9PM, Show 10PM
21 & Up w/I.D.

And as always, it's just FIVE BUCKS all night!

THE UPTOWN CLUB
1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland
(1 block from 19th Street BART!)

Pin ups x 2

2008-05-12T19:28:00.001-07:00

I love this photo!!

It's Sweet Cheeks & Sweet M'alice.

Photographer: http://www.emilypayne.com

Pin ups

2008-05-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

I just posted a bunch of Pin up shots to my Flickr page.

Check em out, you know you want to:

Orphan Works Bill

2008-05-08T13:43:00.002-07:00

Is it an issue for artists to worry about? I don't know. When I dig in and research it, there are a bazillion different opinions on it.

From what I understand, the basis for the Bill is it allows for people to use older creative works when the copywrite holder has died (for 70 years past their death) or where the original holder cannot be found.

Film makers, musicians, etc. can not currently use this material, but the Orphan Works Bill would allow works to be used if the user can show that they made an attempt to find the copywrite owner.

I'm not going to attempt to convey the concerns of the art public because I don't fully understand but I have found some links. So if you are an artist trying to decipher it, read these and decide for yourself:

http://www.orphanworks.net/

There is a lively debate happening here: http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/392

If you want to send letters to your congresspeople expressing your concerns, go here:
http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

And six misconceptions about Orphan Works: http://maradydd.livejournal.com/374886.html

It's going to be an exciting month

2008-05-06T12:52:00.001-07:00

I'm already booked with:

• Burlesque classes & rehearsals
• A 'you shoot me, I shoot you' photoshoot with Darling Propaganda
• And a solo performance, woo!

When the hell I'm going to paint, I don't know. I do feel like all of this is equally important to the art that I want to make...so it's ok.

I also have to be easy on myself because I'm going to spend two weeks devoted to making art next month in Moux, France.

Diane Olivier, my instructor and one of my favorite people, sent me the list of materials last week. We'll be using pastels, charcoal, possibly watercolors and if I have room I'll bring my colored pencils.

It's been a looong time since I've devoted this much time to drawing and I can't wait to see how my skills improve after the class.

We'll be staying in a house built in the 1860s, taking trips to draw in the countryside in the mornings and afternoons, and we have two days off to do whatever the hell we want!

After the workshop, Bill is meeting me and we are going to tool around the region either by car or train. We're going to decide how we feel when we get there. For sure, we'll spend a weekend in Aix-en-Provence and then some time in Barcelona.

Fancy new camera, Burlesque and more!

2008-05-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

Well hello people-

I just picked up a fancy DSLR this weekend, I'm no longer a point and shoot girl. Hurray!

I had been on the fence about whether to go Nikon or Canon and am very happy with my new Nikon D40. It was a great deal and came with two lenses: 18-35mm and 55-200mm

Now I have a ton of stuff to learn, but it is very exciting. I will be able to shoot my own reference for paintings! This has been a goal of mine for the last 6 months or so. While I have enjoyed working with different photographers to get pin up reference, I want to be able to express my 'voice' from the outset of a project.

The only way for me to accomplish this is to shoot my own gals.

So this is going to be an interesting exploration, the photographer has just as much work to do as the model, and I will be gaining confidence in this area.

Part of my goal is to shoot burlesque performers in motion. Pin ups are fun, but I really want to capture the movement and sparkle of costumes and the sass and tease of the performer. Along with my goal to shoot, I am going to perform. I've been taking classes from local Burlesque queen Bombshell Betty since October of last year and I hope to be performing with her troupe, the Burlesqueteers, sometime this month.

There is also personal growth that go accompanies all of these new things in my life, I've been discussing with my therapist (Susan) how to push back the fear that comes from performing. We've talked a bit about how actors accomplish this, one way is to access an emotion that is already inside and bring it to the front (despite the fear). This is something I find really interesting and hope to pursue it and blog about it as well.

And...

Another goal is to finish all three 30x40" portraits by mid May.
I am going to put them up for sale, so if you are interested let me know!

Paypal buttons have been added to my website and that makes purchasing so much easier.

One last thing: stay tuned for an exciting project that I've been working on with artist Jessica Whiteside. We're co-curating an incredibly sexy Pin up art exhibition with artists representing Hot rod babes, Kink, Burlesque and Rockabilly chicks.

Happening February 09 at 111 Minna.

Viva Las Vegas 2008

2008-04-14T21:06:00.001-07:00

Viva Las Vegas 2008
Originally uploaded by Alice Stribling

I posted Viva pics on Flickr. Click the pic to see.

From Sept. 07 Emily Payne photo shoot

2008-04-06T11:43:00.001-07:00

From Sept. 07 Emily Payne photo shoot
Originally uploaded by Alice Stribling

I went into Emily Payne's studio last year to get some reference shots of myself, Bombshell Betty and Sweet Cheeks (both Burlesque performers).

This was one of the little gems from that shoot.

Drawing Workshop in South of France in June

2008-04-05T11:01:00.001-07:00

Drawing Workshop in South of France in June
Originally uploaded by Alice Stribling

I'm also prepping for this, I can't wait to sit in the sun in the Moux, France with nothing to do but draw all day.

I love Diane and can't wait to see how my skills improve after this workshop.

Oh and I designed the brochure! She provided all the wonderful pictures and drawrings. :)

Viva Las Vegas next weekend!

2008-04-05T10:33:00.001-07:00

Viva Las Vegas next weekend
Originally uploaded by Alice Stribling

Bill and I are Vegas-ing it up next weekend at the charming Gold Coast with about a bazillion Rockabilly enthusiasts.

Should be a rockin' good time with LOTS of good eye candy!

(I promise there will be pictures)

xoxo-
A

Most recent email from John Fluevog shoes

2008-03-31T11:18:00.001-07:00

Most recent email from John Fluevog shoes
Originally uploaded by Alice Stribling

Fluevog has this area on their site where fans can upload photos of their favorite shoes, it's called 'Flueshots'.

They asked me to upload my painting a while ago and I kind of forgot about it, but I just noticed that it was included in their most recent update email.

R.A.D.

Pali Boucher of Rocket Dog Rescue

2008-01-27T10:23:00.000-08:00

This gal is pretty amazing. She pulled herself out of some bad times and off the streets and has devoted her life to saving pooches that might not otherwise make it out of the pound.

Right before Christmas, Pali had a house fire and lost some rescue dogs along with her own pets and her art collection.

You can read the story here:SF gate article

It’s a pretty sad story and I wanted to do something for her that would replace some of her lost art and so that she has something for her new walls once she gets settled.

I got a photo from the lovely Laura B and made this piece of Pali and one of her dogs, Catfish Calhoun:

It’s another one of these black and white photos on canvas giclée (I like this process a lot). I painted over it with oil, mostly red and metallic bronze. Catfish Calhoun shimmers and he even has some sparkly Swarovski crystals on his collar.

I delivered it to her last week at an adoption fair, I think she was pretty happy. She went around showing it to everyone with a big smile on her face!

If you are interested in finding out more about Rocket Dog Rescue, check em out here:Rocket Dog Rescue site

2007 kinda kicked ass

2008-01-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

So I’m sitting here listening to Pink Floyd, downloading a bunch of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin actually, and reflecting on this past year.

I’ve read a lot of 2007 blogs lately…a lot of artists that I keep up with have posted them. Many of them contain a list of exhibitions and professional accomplishments. Some of them are very honest and open. All have inspired me to do the same.

In 2007, I met an amazing smart sexpot: handsome Bill.

I traveled to LA, NY, Ireland and VEGAS with Bill. 2 out of 4 of those trips were art related!

I met a veritable shit-ton of fantastic people, developed some really cool relationships, developed my talent, was in like 4-5 art exhibitions (1 of which was a solo show), sold 6 pieces (1 of which was a commission piece for a lingerie store), and participated in 2 Pin up photo shoots (which will provide fuel for art this year).

So I feel like I am a lucky girl and I have had some amazing opportunities this past year.

Right now, though, I’m struggling. This always happens to me post holiday. Like lots of other people, I took my yearly trip ‘home for the holidays’.

I love my family: they are funny, smart, and love me. But I really do struggle during the time spent with them. Every year, I get jabs from them about how I should change.

This was a nice one from this Christmas, ‘When you stop painting women in lingerie, maybe we’ll buy some…’

I love them, I really do…but it gets old and it is very, very draining.

I got back to SF about a week ago and I’ve been processing some complex ideas about how to be in the world ever since this time spent with in the deep South.

One thing that came out of it is that I sat down on New Year’s day and rewrote my art bio, about 8 times. It’s still not there yet but I’m getting closer. Pretty much I’ve been writing this thing for the past 4 years.

I’ll share with you my process every time I sit down to write it:

I’m going to be fucking honest!
Wait, how much should I share?
Do people want the truth behind what I do, who I am?
Other artists write a professional, third person bio. Maybe that’s what I should do.
What will make my art sell?
Do I care about selling?
Wait, why am I making art again?
Oh yeah, because I really have no fucking choice in the matter.

FUCK.

Currently, the one on my site is short and sweet and doesn’t really tap into the major mental mountains I’ve been moving for, I don’t know, my whole fucking life. Mountains about learning to love my body, mountains about loving myself, mountains about finding my voice when there have been major people in my life that have always told me to be different. I learned to compromise and hide the things that really made me ‘me’ at a young age. I still struggle to be honest about these things.

And before this turns into a sob story, I know everybody has a struggle…I’m not saying that my life was difficult. I have a loving family, I always had a roof over my head and they taught me a lot of wonderful things and took care of me.

My experience just makes me question myself all the time. I struggle with whether people even want to know why I make the art that I do. It’s not all just pretty, sexy ladies.

Does anyone want to read this shit or do they just want to see sexy ladies? These sexy ladies have a story, I have a story. Women are complex, gorgeous creatures and we have boobies and some of us know how to shake them for fun and some of us choose to shake them for money. I love that. Good for us.

It’s fantastic to live in a time period when we women can own this. There is a spirit, an energy and a freedom to it, and that’s why I’m inspired by Burlesque.

Which brings me to what is on the table for 2008. Honesty, Burlesque, boobies and I don’t know…sex? Sure why not!

The first couple of weeks of 2008 find me prepping and starting some big new paintings. I have some portraits all planned out for Miss Bombshell Betty and Sweet Cheeks; two lovely, sexy, smart and funny Burlesque performers.

And yes, you lovely perverts, I have a couple of me thrown in there too.

Entertaining sidenote: What’s crazy about this process is it involves me frequently printing lasers and whatnot of myself in my underwear at work. I don’t know if that is good or bad, but I guess all my coworkers are used to it by now.

So, if anybody is reading this, big shout out to all of you and everyone that supports me and listens to my shit. And I have to say, thank FUCK for David Bayles and Ted Orland for writing the book ‘Art and Fear’.

This book is my bible for when I feel shitty about myself and my art process. Every time I read it, I get something new out of it and bless them for putting into words this complex process of artmaking.

Why we artists do it, why it is difficult, why we have no choice but to do it, and how to keep doing it.

Happy 2008 wonderful people, I do love you.

Xoxo-
Alice

"Yours truly in frilly underpants"
20x20" oil on canvas giclee
Currently on display at 111 Minna Gallery

Collective: opens August 6th at Space Gallery in SF.

2007-08-01T23:07:00.001-07:00

1141 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA
Space Gallery website

"Yours truly getting ready for Built for Speed"

"Dee, AKA DJ Fashion Hooker, rocks SF & Berlin"

John Fluevog shoes

2007-07-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

The peeps over at Fluevog found my painting online and asked me to post it in the new 'FlueShots' section of their website.

The girls and boys that love Fluevogs tend to be obsessed with them!

Link: www.fluevog.com/flueshots/main.php?g2_itemId=1489

Dollhouse Bettie show photos & Sketch Tuesday

2007-07-18T22:49:00.000-07:00

Whew, what a fucking busy week! I wouldn't trade it for anything though, I had a wonderful time at the Dollhouse Bettie opening party. Michelle and Eric are wonderful WONDERFUL people and I do believe that everyone had a good time.

Click here for more photos of panties and paintings!

Plus I was a featured artist at Sketch Tuesday @ 111 Minna. I had a blast! A lot of cool art was made that night and sold on the cheap cheap!!

More photos

NY for the Art Dorks show opening

2007-06-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

NY was GREAT!

I hung out with brother in NJ for a few days, my boyfriend Bill joined us on Wednesday and we spent the night with his lovely folks.

Thursday and Friday were spent in Manhatten We hit Coney Island , Otto’s Shrunken Head (a fantastic punk rock Tiki bar), the MOMA and Friday night was the Art Dork’s show opening at the McCaig Welles gallery in Brooklyn.

The art rocked and it was so nice to meet so many artists that I have known through the internet!

Saturday we partied with Bill’s family and then we headed back to SF on Sunday. Click here to see all the pics!

Post Thanksgiving liver detox

2006-11-27T09:31:00.000-08:00

I made it through the holiday and that's saying something. I had a great dinner at La Provence...it was pretty much the best turkey meal I've ever had! We had a yummy 3 course meal and then waddled our asses over to Built for Speed.

It was a party-party weekend. And now I'll be detoxing and getting back to painting.

'Everything Nice' is opening in conjunction with 'Naughty or Nice' at Thinkspace Gallery in LA December 8th.

I have two paintings in the show!

New web site!

2006-10-06T18:06:00.001-07:00

www.alicestribling.com

'Everything Nice' October 20th @ Toyroom Gallery

2006-09-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

Look for the ad on page 107 in the October issue of Juxtapoz magazine!

"Sometimes I just have to work out my shit on the dance floor"

2006-08-27T16:39:00.000-07:00

11x14" oil on canvas

Dancing is great therapy for me.

When I was 14, I used to sneak out of my house to go to this over 18 club in Atlanta called Plastic. (In the late 80s all you had to say was that you forgot your ID and they would let you in) It was such a great experience and it gave me someplace to go where I felt like I fit in more than at high school football games. Plus the music I was introduced to made me so happy.

I did get into a heap of trouble when my parents finally caught me, but fortunately we can laugh about it now. If only they could laugh about the tattoos...well maybe one day. :)

Sometimes I just gotta be me and make some room for myself on the dance floor....I try to carry this philosophy into most areas of my life.

Not to get all heavy on you guys, but painting this was like giving birth! I think I'm going to post a chronology on Flickr so that you can see the progression. I'm really happy with it.

This will be in the group show "Everything Nice" in October at Toy Room Gallery in Sacramento / December at Thinkspace gallery in LA.

http://www.sacforart.com/everythingnice.html

"Trinidad has her shit together"

2006-08-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

6x6" mixed media

"Dee teaches girls how to sew"

2006-07-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

Whew, I finished! This is 22 x 28", oil on canvas. Enjoy. :)

This is my friend Dee, she's been a huge influence on my life. Her energy is amazing- she loves metal, she's super crafty and I love her very much.

I tried to put all that into this piece. Took me about 6 months, ha!

Back from my trip

2006-06-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

My trip was amazing, I saw some incredible art and met so many nice people. Unfortunately I missed the opening reception of the Erotic show at the Shooting Gallery, but here are some pics of my piece and the crowd taken by my friend Julienne Givot :

That's my piece "Rachel makes really cool shadowboxes"

I got back and was asked to be in a show at the Toy Room Gallery (Sacramento) in October that I'm really excited about. It's an all girl show called '... and everything nice '. There are some amazing gals in this show, it's gonna be fun!

What am a working on? GOING TO EUROPE!

2006-05-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited 'cause next week I'm leaving the country for the first time EVER! I'm going with my lovely friend Karri and we are going to explore London, Paris and the Alsace region of France.

I can't wait to see the art at the Tates, the Pompidou, D'Orsay and all the other goodies as well. We've also got leads on funky galleries, cool book stores and a certain tattoo shop that we will be leaving some euros with in Paris. ;-)

As far as painting is concerned, I'm finishing up a piece that I've been working on for a while (a painting of Dee that I've blogged about before). And I'm starting some pieces in the 'jeans' series (see previous post of the painting of Amelia's posterior). The jeans are really fun to do.

The Erotic Show opens June 8th at the Shooting Gallery. I've got a painting in this show and am a little bummed that I'll miss it, but I'll get to see it when I get back.

The opening is from 7pm-11pm and the gallery is at 839 Larkin St, San Francisco.

New piece: "Amelia works her ass off"

2006-05-06T18:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a little something I just finished. It's 11x14" and it's of my friend Amelia. She's a graphic designer working in the cut throat field of design here in San Francisco. Freelance design sucks but she makes it work!

Erotic Show @ the Shooting Gallery

2006-04-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

Hi all-

I'm going to have a piece in this show! The opening is June 8th if you would like to save the date.

Dee painting 4/20

2006-04-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

An update, this is still in progress. This is that time period where lots of decisions have to be made about what looks best in the final composition. Stay tuned!

Oh and click on the image above to see more paintings on Flickr. And leave me a comment if you like. Cheers.

"Built for Speed"

2006-04-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

(24"x36" oil on canvas)

This painting was inspired by my lovely friends Dee and Rachel who have a party every Thursday night in SF called "Built for Speed".

In some ways, meeting Dee changed my life. Her red hair, free spirit, courage and warm loving self helped me open up to a lot of new things. I used to get coffee from her every day at the NY Street cafe where she was the star counter girl. She wore daring outfits on Halloween, gave evey single person an individual moment of her time, and she and Meredith's great food fed a lot of people in that neighborhood. We all had food for thought and the best mac and cheese EVER.

I believe that I was there for the first Built for Speed at MILK bar in the upper Haight. :)

Built for Speed is an inspiration in itself- the girls 'decorate' the back room at Delirium every Thursday night with black and white images of punks, rockers, and pin up girls. They put the things they love up on the walls for eveyone to share.

All the girls in these paintings are friends of mine. They are wonderful people who helped me break open my warped idea that only model-skinny girls are pretty and sexy. They have real bodies, with voluptuous curves like me!

"Hello my name is Rachel"

2006-04-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

16x20" The girls in these paintings are all friends of mine. This one is obviously Rachel.

I wanted to paint girls with real curves...girls that look more like me. I see images of really small girls everyday and it fucks with my head a lot. I have to consciously remind myself that girls with flesh and real curves are sexy too.

These paintings definitely help me resolve this war within myself. Rachel = hot = Alice is ok too. :)

Dee pntg update 4.5

2006-04-05T23:42:00.000-07:00

This is still a work in progress but I feel like sharing. Been cooped up in the house painting and trying to stay dry (it's been raining non-stop in SF), so it would be nice to get a little feedback.

Enjoy!

Oh and you can click on the image to go see more paintings on Flickr. Click on the "Paintings" set when you get over there.

Dee pntg in progress

2006-03-31T09:56:00.000-08:00

Dee pntg in progress
Originally uploaded by 45alice.

This is my current work in progress. It's going very well and I'm really excited about it.

There are other paintings over on Flickr, so click on over there and browse a while.

This is my temporary site

2006-03-22T22:29:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone-

I am revising my website and in the meantime will be pointing my URL to this blog. The format is really easy and it allows me to keep things going during the redesign.

Please visit my paintings on Flickr! I added the handy-dandy Flickr Badge on the right side for easy click-click ability. What's cool about this is that I can comment on my paintings on Flickr. I do like to tell everyone where my ideas come from and about my process, so put on your glasses and get to reading if you are so inclined.

Otherwise just look at the pretty pics.

If you are wondering what all the odd posts are below, they are pics that I hosted here for forum writings on FECAL FACE DOT COM. Eventually, these will just move on down the page so don't worry much about them.

One of my favorite paintings by John Singer Sargent

2006-03-05T20:27:00.001-08:00

"Ellen Terry as Lady MacBeth" I am going to see this in May at the Tate Britain in London!!!!

This is posted here as part of a message on the FECAL FACE forums: FECAL FACE DOT COM.

2006-03-05T19:33:00.001-08:00

Me at Delirium in November for a friend's birthday.

theresa WIP2

2006-02-19T08:54:00.000-08:00

This is posted here as part of a message on the FECAL FACE forums: FECAL FACE DOT COM.

Dee painting WIP

2006-02-18T10:54:00.000-08:00

This is posted here as part of a message on the FECAL FACE forums: FECAL FACE DOT COM.