A picture is worth a thousand words. except mine also have some extra words sometimes.

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You could say I am going crazy. 

but also you could say I am totally sane. 

either way. 

I am walking around town. so be careful.

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a very big LION PUPPET and how to best dance.

remember that lion?

that made me look insane walking across the street. 

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I got to make him when I was the costume designer for a show. 

I never did post his final look 

and performance. 

with 

Richmond Ballet. 

so,

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       JOE MAHONEY/TIMES-DISPATCH

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It's embarrassingly exciting to watch professional dancers operate something you made. 

oh, and when they did lifts. 

I freaked out on the inside. 

I am being honest. really.

________________________________

thanks to 

Richmond Ballet Company dancers. 

And the Minds In Motion team. 

Cat Studdard. 

And the Production Team. 

Cate Latham

Costume Shop. All of it. 

really. cool. 

really. honored.

I'll just wait out back until you need me again. ever. sitting by the stage door. don't mind me. I packed almonds. 

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oh, also. 

it feels really busy

ok. it is really busy

like. I'm-up-late-on-the-weekend-but-with-papers-around-me-all-over-the-floor. kind of busy

and so I don't want to forget. 

in the spirit of ballet.
and wednesdays.
and well. life. 

to

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dance. 

                                                                                                                      Kent Meister Photography

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~~ this lion post is for Courtney Webb and her inspiring spirit. ~~  

As you battle cancer again. and win again. ROAR. we hear you. xo. 

HALLOWEEN IS SNEAKING UP ON ME LIKE FRANKENSTEIN.

throw back. of coolness. 

I am not ashamed of my past. 

I am still that. 

and true things. 

are the most hilarious. 

Somewhere along the line someone told me that different was cool.

and creativity was a superpower. 

I HELD ONTO THAT.

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Fall sounds like an acoustic guitar. smells like a campfire. and. i like it. all.

I have what could be considered an unhealthy obsession with fall.

I love Halloween. 

I love pumpkins. 

I love hats.

my best friend and I sort of deemed it our time. and we can really celebrate the crap out of it. she lives across the country. but we are never on a different page. our page is covered in leaves. 

and zip ups and rollerblades and scarves and tights. 

I walk through a fall/Halloween themed aisle and my heart beats faster. 

True things can sometimes be embarrassing but you guys. 

I feel this way. 

A hayride or a nighttime campfire can really just send me over the edge. 

_________________________________________________________

My work update is that I have a lot of work. 

Which is amazing. 

____________

I am starting to like evening work more than I used to. It feels like I am getting ahead. and it feels calmer after 5. 

                                                                            in a brilliant move. i bought myself a cupcake.

one project I am working on is- 

the puppet cast for the LIVE ART show in december. 

December 22. 2013.

info and to get tickets. NOW: www.sparconline.org/liveart

not kidding. selling so fast.

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And I am teaching a lot. 

for Live Art. yes. my favorite. 

and also

some classes for adults.

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and all of this. is why I have taken these giant pauses between posting. 

and why I spilled an entire iced coffee the other day. AND dropped a wine bottle that same night. 

(dont drop a wine bottle. ever. but if you do. a sidewalk is kind of awesome. especially if a giant line of nicely dressed people are waiting outside somewhere. right by where you park. with nothing to look at but the street. and. 

you. 

they were hilariously supportive. i think we all just sighed together. 

strangers can be friends. in a second. 

just look dumb and everyone is like- WERE THE SAME! WERE HUMANS! WOOoo)

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I go between - AHHHGH I HAVE A FULL PLATE. 

and

I AM THE LUCKIEST EVER. 

and

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PUPPETS IN MY BACK SEAT. 

you guys. 

It got really hilarious when 

I painted a large stretch of road. 

neon yellow. 

                                                                                                                                                   wow. right?

                                                                                                                                                                                                     the culprit.

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I am overwhelmed with a severe love for this time of year. 

amazing opportunities. 

solid friends.

and whew. 

busy.

I feel like THIS kid.

                                                     

   I found this kid. and fell in love with him. I mean. LOOK. please. tell me he isn't awesome.

now go collapse on pavement. 

and look at the sky.

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Collecting sisters. and other people who lift me up and speak my language.

When I make something that I feel moved to make 

It is not hard to imagine what it should look like. 

because it already looks like that. 

to me. 

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One of my brothers, Joey, is married to Heather.
and I adore my sister-in-law. drop the in-law.

sister. 

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That's us. see why I like her.

I think I am in the monster hoodie. because thats my favorite illustration outfit.
BUT. she could be either of these creatures.

the idea is that she makes me feel like... this drawing.

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So my other brother, Eric, just got married. 

                                                                                         advice from his nephew. the ring bearer.

In the mountains. 

                                                                                                                                                    instagram.town: @AbernathyParade

by a creek.

to a best friend of mine.

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only. he found her first.

but I would have picked her for an accomplice in two seconds.


first round team sports. co-magician. etc.






Sarah.

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So for their wedding I was going to make them a piece of art for the cover of their ceremony program.

but they said. wait.

could it be something we can use for that. but also... to keep.


So I knew. ok ok.


Exactly what to make.






And they wanted a sort of "engagement photo"
 ... because they didn't do those.
formally.


Until...





MINE.



which is pretty dang accurate.


but don't worry. they knew who they were talking to.

and so without further ado.

or delay.

or prep.

THIS.
is their piece of art.






This. is their little story.








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The Great Mouse Plot of 2013. 

named in part for the Roald Dahl story, The Great Mouse Plot of 1924

about being sneaky. and adventurous. 

taking risks. and staying curious.

Sarah. wide eyes. smart hat.

Eric. adventure gear. 

home.

 pssst. you can find sewn lines. all white. because. it is a fancy picture you guys. wedding thread only.

their plans. big ones. 

set. sail.

_______________________________________________________________

Congratulations, you clever mice. 

Happy for you. Happy for all of us.

__________________________________________________________________

my sister collection is complete. at 3. but more people who lift me up.
and speak my language.

always collecting.





more of these people.

please.

for the love.

The sleeves of my sweatshirt smell unfamiliar.

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when I am doing many things. and when many of them are new. 

an unfamiliar feeling is good. 

really good. 

______________________________________

you should always feel slightly off your game in order to stay on your game. 

theres something nice about feeling nervous or intimidated. as long as you accept that as a challenge. 

and work through it.

with it.

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it makes you stronger.

______________

and forces you to be better.

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only recently have I been able to settle more comfortably in that. 

because I am doing a lot at once. I have collected a ridiculous amount of images that I am dumping out here. right now. 

(only actually dumping PART of the accumulation I have. my computer even tells me I have too many pictures. that's confirmation of my problem.) 

because I have to run somewhere and paint a giant set of amazingness. 

( yes. I like to hear myself sometimes. MY JOB IS REAL. thank God.) 

but listen. 

I am never complaining about being busy. only thrilled. 

and working hard on time management. 

I think. in my head/dreams.

Sometimes running around... is with my friends. so I do that too. very on purpose. 

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THE MAIN THINGs I AM LOVING RIGHT NOW:

collaborative work with good people.

and. 

(a thought for the following photodump:)

telling kids that they should stay weird. and remember --> it is cooler to be weird. than to not realize who you are. 

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIGURING OUT WHO YOU ARE.

and then. it would be more awesome to help everyone else out. 

too.

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photo dump from a theater arts camp this summer. where the students heard me. 

and were game. 

PROJECT: make a mask. but challenge yourself to BUILD IT.

not relying on color. design. or flat detail work... but sculpt it. 

white paper forces them to draw in space.. forcing a focus on volume. shape. dimension. 

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my favorite kind of students. 

they know art is cool.

they get it. 

students like this show the rest of the class that it is cool to work hard. and be proud of your ideas.

 (he worked hard on cutting all those little teeth. please see and appreciate that.) 

they kill me.

with happiness.

                                                                                                      seriously. 

FILL SPACE. work AROUND.

Think about it as "drawing" with paper. 

I say think big... 

they listen.

make exactly what you want. and we will make it work.

aka. editing.

see if you can make it look less like paper. 

manipulate materials. 

 

 be unpredictable.

proud.

and...

he's right:

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 consider this my photo essay- Why I like kids. and what we can learn from their bold display of vulnerability and willingness. 

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 now. i have to run. i left important art things in my truck bed and it is suddenly raining. 

common issue. 

wouldn't trade it.