Friday, October 19, 2012

.another blog!.

Raqs Bohemé - the little once a month show I produce (I suppose that's the right word) - now has it's own little page....blog....thing.
http://raqsboheme.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

.more layers.

I'm obsessing about layers again.
(I'm also obsessing about homemade essential oil perfumes but that's something else entirely....kind of.)

This past weekend I was privy and party to a whole host of really fantastic performances. Burlesque, juggling, stand-up..... Really Fantastic Performances.
Not something that always happens.
And as I was watching everything, between changing costumes, breathing through my asthma, and touching up makeup, I was seeing some....themes.
Layer themes.

I go on a lot about dancing and cake and layers - the dancing is the cake. The costuming is the icing. And as awesome as icing is, it's really not so awesome unless it's on a really awesome cake. But most awesome cakes are made of multiple layers of cake, usually with fantastic stuff in between the layers.
And the same exact thing applies to performances.

• You've got your technique - the technical aspect of what your doing.
• Then there's choreography (or improv, whatever you prefer), which is interrelated with musicality.
• Then there's expression - your stage presence, the story you're telling, the mood your setting.
• Then you've got costuming - which relates directly to your music, technique and story. Enhances it, sets a visual tone before the movement begins.
• And, if your lucky - there's lighting and backdrop. And that gets into more color theory.

• And of course, let's not forget the physical condition of your body.

And now I'm craving cake...

Monday, October 15, 2012

.goodbyes.

It's a sad day.
John Compton was one of the performers who went above and beyond your wildest expectations and made time dissolve - not only while performing but in classes as well. He was one of the few instructors with whom I could take an entire 2 hour workshop without compulsively checking the time. All of his material was relevant and useful, and never extraneous fluff for self-aggrandizement. And he told amazing stories.
He was one of the maybe 5 teachers I'd do crazy things to take classes with.
There are things I could say, mostly I'm just sad that he's gone.
He will be missed.


Friday, October 12, 2012

.More Who.


Just a couple of baddies....not sure who I'm going to whoodle up next...

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

.sketchbook.wednesday.

Ink, Acrylic, Color Pencil, Marker

.all the dancing.

My busy season is winding down, which means if you were wanting to come and see me dance live and in person, your insane month of opportunities is almost up! Unfortunately I missed Smoker this past Sunday - so your last chance for a Smoker show is this coming Sunday, which also happens to be the last day of Faire! Which means Smoker will probably be packed/sold out so you might want to buy your Smoker passes at the Front Gate early in the morning, and get to Smoker early to get a good seat.


If you can't make it to Faire - or just want something a little not-Faire-like, this coming Saturday night I'm dancing at Violet Vendetta's After Darque Burlesque and Variety Show, at Jazzhaus in Lawrence, Kansas starting at 10pm. 10$, and I'm sharing the stage with some of my favorite MidWest Performers including Jason Divad and Martin Plant!

Next week is Raqs Bohéme of course, and once again Ami Amoré is coming to perform. And that's it until the end of November!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Shimmy for the Cure

This past Saturday evening I participated in Irie Tribal's Second Annual Shimmy for the Cure - a bellydance show for which 100% of the proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help fund breast cancer research. It was a really beautiful night, the best part of which was the event raising over 4000$ dollars.
I'm so pleased and grateful to have been a part of this remarkable event!

Friday, October 5, 2012

.and everything seemed to be going so well.

I got a lovely note from a customer that was really happy with their art.

Then I got to looking at anothers school's crest, which needed to be redrawn, and I noticed something...


Anatomically Correct Lion.


So now we know what kind of month it's going to be.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

.quality art isn't free.

I was going to blog a long rambling angry rant on the unrealistic expectations on artists and money and why quality art costs money and why that's a good thing (you pay good artists better, more artists are motivated to make more better stuff = more awesome/less suck) and how it's silly to think you can purchase art (along with the unlimited rights to use it however you please) for 10$ when what you're wanting is going to take 5 hours of work before anyone gets around to edits and changes.....
And it was all very boring.

Instead I'm posting my own art exercise:
More Time = More Awesome = More Money
15 minute Octopus T-Rex Battle Art

Or I can spend 2 hours on it...
2 hour Octopus T-Rex Battle Art

Or I can give it that extra punch and make it really really nice...
3.5 hour Octopus T-Rex Battle Art
(and honestly it could probably use another two hours of work)

And if you're happy with a 15 minute piece of art - by all means, go and find one.  
I'd rather make more awesome please.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Monday, October 1, 2012

.signs.

 When I was driving home from Springfield Saturday I had to stop for gas, and in the gas station window I saw a sign...
 
Really it's a donut sign, but.....I want to buy some Daylight.