Cake Toppers

Wedding planning is truly in full swing and I had my first stress dream the other night.  It was horrible!  The power was out in Storyland, the caterers and DJ didn't show up on time, and on top of all of that I had neglected to put together my centerpieces and bouquet.  I was furiously arranging paper flowers in my poofy dress FREAKING OUT and yelling at my mom to let the guests know that it wouldn't be too much longer.  Fortunately, this will not be happening in real life; but if it were to, I could rest easy knowing that I have some killer cake topppers!

I didn't make these beauties; my incredibly talented friend Amber did.  Amber and I met at while we were both selling at the Freret Market back in October.  I instantly fell in love with her gorgeous little figures and asked if I could commission her to do my cake toppers.  She agreed!

Amber and I both have Etsy stores so we sent messages back and forth with updates.  I started off by sending her a picture of Nate and I and a sketch I did of what I was picturing based on her work.  I wanted them to look some what like Nate and me and I included what I decided out distinguishing facial features would be.

After she had the pieces all built up with the air drying clay she uses, she sent me an update with the raw forms.

I squealed with excitement, told her I loved them and she got to painting.  When she had them all painted up she sent me this update and asked if I wanted the crackle glaze.

I had a small heart attack of excitement and I said yes, crackle them!  We made arrangements for me to pick them up.  Once I had them in my possession, I had a photo shoot with them on my kitchen counter.

Could they be any cuter?!  I don't think so.  Amber did a fantastic job and I can't wait to have them sitting a top my cake come October.  To check out more of Amber's work, mosey on over to her Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/amberleilani?ref=pr_shop

Watch a Painting Come to Fruition

I recently did a commission piece for the new Wild Lotus Yoga Studio that's opened up in the New Orleans Healing Center down on St. Claude in the Bywater.  I took some step by step photos documenting the process from blank canvas to finished painting.  Enjoy!

New Stuff

So I've acquired my permit to sell in Pirate's Alley and I'm going to get my feet wet on Sunday.  I've been working my ass off in my studio to get a huge inventory to sell.  I've got my alphabet originals that haven't been sold yet, some paintings of Mardi Gras beads hanging from oak branches, and some paintings inspired by Mardi Gras floats.  Here's a preview of one of the float inspired ones:

And because his goblet says "Supah Fly" he has to have some of these babies on there.  They haven't been glued on yet but they will be tomorrow.  I've been using liquid gold and silver leafing to jazz up the float paintings.  It's really wonderful; it gives it an almost glow in the dark quality in dim lighting.

Last but not least if you head over to my website, I've added some new pieces to both the body painting and skeleton albums.  I've also started a twitter so that I can let the world know of my where-abouts while I sell my art!

Selling in the French Quarter

I've applied for my permit to sell in Pirate's Alley.  I'll have it by next month in time for festival season!  Hooray!

I've been working on new paintings, all Mardi Gras float inspired, so you can "take a piece of Mardi Gras home with you."  Nate has been hard at work cutting and sanding some beautiful wooden pieces that I will be painting.  Look for us at Art in Palmer Park in March and April and I'll be at Freret Fest on April 2nd.

...and I'll be better about updating my blog.  I promise!

This Saturday

I'll be oot and aboot at the OCH Art Market.  Come check it out if you can!  There will also be a "slow biking" contest.  If you win you get a bike.  Pretty darn cool, if you ask me...