I Suppose I'll Be a Real Adult Now

My cousin Anne, putting on my shoes- coz she is just that helpful!

This past month, I finally graduated from San Francisco State University!!!

My time at SFSU was possibly the best experience of my life. I gained so many friends, knowledge, a few hangovers, too many laughing fits, a fake arranged marriage and above all I gained perspective on what is important to me as an artist.

Now that I have become a "real adult," I possess the awesome and terrifying position of accounting for my artistic actions. 

My last semester of college finally let me branch out into the type of art I *wanted* to create. I was free to draw and paint whatever I wanted. No prompts, no assigned material, no rules or guidelines other than making pieces of art. Whatever sort of canvas I wanted, utensils, pigments and ideas I had, I was free to do.

While I was in school, any piece I created would be questioned by my audience. "Why did you draw a naked person?" "Why did you make a drawing of random objects?" "What does the pink color symbolize in this painting?" I had to constantly let them know it was always "for an assignment." After my teachers began to assign paintings in my upper division classes, I had a bit more freedom in what I wanted to create. I would still get annoying questions though. "Why did you paint yourself as the subject?" "So you're filled with angst?" "What prompted you to paint this?!!" But I always had the fall back: It was the assignment!

Now that I've graduated, I don't have that excuse. Now I have to account for my art. I can't say "oh, I made a piece about domestic violence because that was the assignment!" I have to own up to it. I have to have an explanation as to why I create what I create.

"You Shouldn't Have Provoked Him" - ©2014

Above - Something that is said too often and needs to change. Stop blaming women for being the victim of abuse, assault, and rape. So I'm now "filled with angst?" Fine. Now I've "become one of those crazy feminists?" Fine. So now I'm finally speaking out about and addressing uncomfortable topics head on. Welcome to my world. I'm usually put on spot unexpectedly, so I guess I'll be the first to initiate.

The cartoons I doodle are easy to explain. The fairies and fantasy are polite for the public. The ink drawings of animals are pleasing to most. However, nudity, feminism, body image, domestic violence, dysfunction, politics, social commentary are usually judged with confusion "Why would you paint that?" Because as an artist or as a person who lives in this world, I don't want to hold back on social issues I feel are important and much of the time, ignored. Yes, I love creating pictures that are pretty, but the point of art is not to make a pretty picture to fit into a mould that makes everyone comfortable.  Art is about creative expression and pushing boundaries within ourselves. Art is about movement and exploration, passion and change. I didn't spend nearly 6 years going to school just to make happy, pretty pictures. Although at first, I thought that was the point.

So I promise, I'll do a better job of being a real adult. I am a person who wants to have discussions, new ideas and collaborations.

I love all of you. You guys have helped me grow so much in this creative journey. Because of you guys, I can be versatile with my art and do what I love all the time. Bring on the surreal, the discussions, the cartoons and the passion.

Exciting Stuff!

From the beginning, it was very important to me to print and create all my own products. I spent a ton of time and effort creating, printing, scanning, shipping, etc. I learned a lot and am glad I did that. However, it was so much work that took away my time to actually create new art.

So welcome to my online shop at RedBubble.com! 

Red bubble is an online print-on-demand service that has allowed me to render my artwork on products, such as prints, card, post cards, throw pillows, posters, phone cases, iPad cases, clothing and more. 

For those of you who may have been worried that I had discontinued my fairies-- don't worry!-- I have been loading my fairies slowly but surely. Also, my ink drawings that I created over the past couple of years are going up as well. I know those owls and koi fish were really popular...

So basically all my art will be going up there regardless of subject matter and dates created.

I've started a Pop Cat Series (in the picture above). And it's available as a print, on cards, phone cases, throw pillows... I'm so excited! 

My octopus is a pillow! ^.^

My Fire Element Fairy is a framed print!

Thanks everyone for supporting me all these years!!!

Jasper the Cat is Getting Married!!!

I haven't talked about Jasper the Cat in a while! He's doing great, in fact he is engaged to be married in a year.

Above - shh! He's sleeping! 

Yes, you heard right (not really, this whole thing is sheer sarcasm), Jasper is engaged to the Noble Lady Victoria Morley of Ross. (Real name of cat) Miss Victoria, is a rescue cat who was born on the streets. She became royalty simply by me noticing her at an adoption drive.

 Holding Victoria for the first time ever-- look it that FACE!!!!

I manipulated my bestie, Rachael into bringing her home-- even though Rachael said she couldn't get another cat. All I had to do was have Rachael hold her and she fell in love. *heeheehee, trickery!*

Miss Victoria is now in a forever home with Rachael, and I've taken responsibility as her Fairy God Mother. (Coz of course fairies...)

The wedding will take place when Victoria turns two. The young couple show their affection to each other by stalking one another and provoking each other whenever Jasper comes to visit.

Victoria's adopted brother, and Jasper's best friend, Winston the Cat, will be best man and witness to their wedding.

Above is Winston and Jasper- spooning. Jasper is the little spoon.

To mark this momentous occasion, Artist Miranda Ramsey donated her talents to making the wedding announcements, and offer favors for all the wedding guests of throw pillows, iphone cases, prints, framed portraits and so on! 

To purchase Miranda's art- visit 

http://www.redbubble.com/people/mirzers/works/11900174-victorian-cat-series-01?c=286148-victorian-cat-series

So for the first time ever, I announce the engagement of Noble Lady Victoria Elizabeth Morley of Ross to her beloved, Sir Jasper Vincent Cullin Mullin Nobleman of the House Saint Clair. 

(All joking aside, Miranda is my friend from college who started a Voctorian Cat series and drew Jasper and Victoria when she saw how cute they were and heard my ridiculous story about them. She has more in her series-- please check her out, she's AMAZING!!!)

Of course, I couldn't have a wedding without some of my artwork being involved! A portrait of Victoria and Jasper are in the making in contemporary Pop-Art, Warhol inspired pieces. 

To purchase my pop-cat series, as well as my older fantasy art series, visit 

http://www.redbubble.com/people/clairenobles/shop 

Heeheehee - so, yeah... That happened. Hopefully I didn't hurt your brain too much. I basically just wanted to announce my new artwork and online shop and also Miranda Ramsey's art coz she's awesome AND featured Jasper and my friend's cat in her Victorian cat series!

Have a great rest of your day and enjoy your burrito!

Ooooh, My blog looks different!

If some of you are *just* joining me and my random life, then you don't know what I'm talking about... But for those of you who have been keeping up with this blog for a while will notice a difference in the new background, pictures, etc-- huzzah!

So welcome to my slightly newer blog-stuff. I've been spending a lot of time working on reflecting my social media sites to be relevant with all my art!

I have some newer links on the side bars, new website, new youtube, new Tumblr content, instagram, etc!

Check me out and... yeah!

I'll leave you with another YouTube video of mine where I have created a fake wound with makeup and am sewing it up/ peeling it off. Viewer Discretion Advised-- it's pretty gnarly.

Have a great lunch!!

Follow me on Twitter - @ClaireNoblesArt

YouTube-ing!

Hello, I recently added a few videos to my new You Tube Channel. I don't really get how it works, and I think my name on there is wrong, but I tried!

I discovered I'm pretty good at Gore Type Special Effects Makeup. So I have some videos of some scary makeup jobs I did that others have told me look "disgusting," "sick," and "IS THAT REAL?!?!" I'm hoping one day I can have a career in Special Effects Makeup, so the comments are all compliments.

I also am wanting to post less frightening Makeup Tutorials that would be for young girls, beginners, and everyone.

I've filmed a few "Nice Makeup" videos and just need to edit them. Anyways, check me out on YouTube, like, comment, subscribe, help my low self-esteem, you know.

I posted a "Scary Makeup" video below-- don't worry, it's all fake! Just some eyeshadow, paint, etc on my hilarious friend, Noah.

Have a great lunch!

Let me know what you think via my Twitter @clairenoblesart
or comment below!

Feeling White and Nerdy

I was going to write a blog about music and how it's lately been inspiring my art-- however as I was looking through some concert pictures I got sidetracked by the how pale I am...

I know, totally random (as most things with me are) and completely vain and aesthetic... If you would like to skip this blog entry today, you are more than welcome!

Maybe the biggest reason I noticed my part-albino heritage (Welsh and Irish) today is because of my concert buddy, Tim.

Mr. Timothy Schmimothy (real name), is the type of guy who can go to Coachella in the dessert for four days days, be outside most of the time, fall asleep in the sun, and decide to put sunscreen only on his face the very last day and NOT GET BURNED! Instead he comes back with a tan so awesome, he would make cheerleaders and orange-handed women alike sob for days.

I, on the other hand, gets super bad, red, long-lasting sunburns through my shirt!!... and if I stand too close to lights... and when the moon is out... And the glare from my phone.... Ok, I'm joking, just the first one is true, but seriously, through a shirt?!?

Anyways, here's the picture that sparked a really dopey blog entry. We had just seen Sigur Ros-- they're this flipping amazing band from Iceland which inspires my art from time to time. There, I totally blogged what I originally planned... Sigh

I just - can't! *runs away laughing or crying*

Ok, I'll go now. Have a great rest of your day! 😄

Oh hai!

Jeez, nearly a year has passed since I last blogged!

So far, I haven't died. Jasper the Cat is totally fine. So what's my excuse?

*shrug*

In other news, I was looking at the drafts section of my blog and have a lot of old blog-stuff I was working on for a while and didn't finish for whatever reason. Even though some of the blogs won't necessarily be as relevant now, I personally will get enjoyment from them, so yay!

Also, my usual website had shut down and I started a new website: www.ClaireNobles.com - it's super cool. 

I also have a twitter, tumblr, Instagram, YouTube and other random stuff that I update from time to time. - double yay!

Stay tuned and enjoy the rest of your day! For sticking with me, here's a cute picture of Jasper the Cat: 

Awww!

Twitter- @clairenoblesart & @hopefullytweet

Instagram- @hopefullytweet

Ready, Set, *Achoo!* Uh, Draw?

Raven
©2013
Medium: Ink
Size: 7x10 inches

So on Tuesday I asked my Facebook page to write the name of any animal, and the for the first three suggestions I would do an ink drawing for the next day. The reaction happened immediately and I got "Platypus," "Raven," and "Slow Loris." (you get what you ask for) 

I was really excited to start so I did quite a bit of sketching on the three subjects. I got called away for a few hours to help with a short film (details coming soon in another blog). When I came back I continued sketching and hoped to finish at least one that night. However, apparently my body hates me and refuses to work with my plans. I felt a slight tickle in my throat and got a bit woozy. 

WTH! I just got through with Endocarditis, really?!?! A COLD!?!? Anyways, I drank some Emergen-C, downed some Nyquil and went straight to bed. 

The next morning I woke up with the feeling of gravel in my throat and my head was fuzzy and heavy... So I went back to sleep and did very little the rest of the day. 

Anyhow! Due to this set back, I'm a day late in posting the drawings, please forgive me! I've been going at a snail's pace with the drawings. I even have to sketch out some pencil lines first (which I *hate* doing) before I can put ink to paper. I got a couple Raven drawings done, which I posted above and one below. However, I'm just going to post the sketches of the platypus and slow loris since my head remains fuzzy and refuses to see reference photos properly.

Raven 2
©2013
Medium: Ink
Size: ~5x7 inches

Slow Loris Sketch- WIP

 I had quite a few more problems with the Slow Loris than the other two. I'm not sure if other artists find it tricky as well or if I'm just suffering from my cold. Anyway, the sketch above was my "I'm going to figure out this animal if it kills me!" I even drew the T-cross guidance lines on the face. I probably spent way too long on this sketch, but at least it was informative of what the slow loris' face actually looks like and how I can improve. *shrug*

It's now my personal mission in life to draw this darn animal! After it's done, I'll either draw a million of them or never draw them again...?

Platypus sketches (on the same page)

The platypus isn't nearly as difficult for me as the slow loris was. I just have to figure out what kind of environment I want it in, the pose, etc. 

When I sketch/draw new animals I usually google diagrams of them so I can see where they're body parts are and what certain parts are used for (this was especially helpful when I was drawing out the giant squid a while back). Anyways, I learned about the platypus that they have little earholes almost directly next to their eyes! So the long extension of the platypus eye you see I drew in the picture is not a representation of girly platypus eyelashes, it's the ear!

I hate breaking promises, so I hope this satisfies some of you. And either way, I'll work my hardest to deliver the other two by tomorrow!

Ok, now back to the drawing board. (literally)

All above drawings/ sketches are copyrighted ©2013 to Claire Nobles 

Ink Drawings Are Coming! and I've Become a Bobblehead

Egret
Medium: Ink
Size: 7x10 inches

I'm doing ink drawings again! These are fun and easy drawings for my brain to "Zen out" with during my morning coffee. Most of these drawings have a very "sketchy" feel to them, while some will have a more polished look. I'm having fun creating different animals and species that I haven't yet done. More to come-- and I should post the for sale hopefully later this week. Let me know if you see one you'd like to own so I can reserve it for you. These are originals and I don't plan to make prints of any of them, so once they're gone, they're gone. Most of these drawings will be priced around $15-$30. All the drawings in this post are copyrighted to me, Claire Nobles ©2013. No reproductions of any kind.

Birds of Prey
Medium: Ink
Size: 7x10 inches

Flight
Medium: Ink
Size: ~7x10 inches

 As you can probably tell, I was working on birds for a few hours that day. I wanted to experiment with different styles, brush strokes, shading, etc. It was quite fun!

Flying
Medium: Ink
Size: ~5x7 inches

Flight 2
Medium: Ink
Size: ~7x10 inches

As usual, my title-skills have not improved or become original whatsoever...

Sea Horse
Medium: Ink
Size: ~7x10

Then I had to draw sea horses for some reason... I like drawing sea horses!

Sea Horse 2
(Sold)

I would have done more inks, but I had a Jeff Mangum Concert to go to. (It was amazing.) I'm not usually one who shares stuff about music, but since I was listening to his albums during the creation of all of the above drawings, I owe him a little shout-out.

 Jeff Mangum sounds like a cross between Kurt Cobain and a psychopathic folk singer who is having a bad dream while on painkillers (in a good way). Tim described him to me as a guy who is so passionate about his music, that it's physically painful for him to play it. It was evident to me during his first number. He's kind of awesome. Probably an R rating for his lyrics though (to keep in mind)!

This pose started out as an accident... but then I just went with it.  You know you love it.

After the concert, we went to a restaurant called "The Crepe Place" - guess what they served there? Oh yeah, crepes! Genius restaurant name, and great food.

Last night I got two watercolor commissions, plus I still have a few ink commissions to do, so I shall be busy-busy-busy! Hoping to post the above drawings for sale on my Etsy sometime this week! Stay tuned!

Strutting Extra Hard This Year

I'm a fighter (fighter with a PICC line)

Go Red Strut! - Tuesday, February 12, 2013 in San Francisco, CA

The gorgeous room

I nearly forgot to post pictures from Go Red Strut! This is an event to raise awareness for Heart Health Month (February) and the hope is to help  and prevent heart attacks, stroke, heart disease, and good health. To see last year's pictures and blog, -Click here-

Two more survivors! These lovely ladies also had heart surgeries when they were young. They were also Strutters! 

I participated in this event to spread awareness of the AHA which funds the research that has kept me alive! As many of you know, I was born with severe heart defects. My defects include ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, pulmonary stenosis and transposition of the greater arteries. I’ve had five surgeries, at ages 2 months, one and a half years, 4 years, 7 years, and 15 years old. Two of them were open heart, the major repair being at age four. I try to be stay active, and eat right, and I lead a pretty normal life aside from having several surgery scars. Even though I'm as careful with my health as can be, I got released from the hospital a mere 12 days before the event for having Endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves. Thanks to research, they were able to send me home with a PICC line which is like a hardcore IV that went into my bicep, snaked up my shoulder and was a direct line for sending antibiotics to my heart. 12 days out of the hospital I was still moving incredibly slow but I couldn't miss the awesome chance to raise Heart Health Awareness and to wear a pretty dress! With what happened to me early this year, it goes to show that even when one is so careful, they are still at risk.

Runway!- I searched for hours for those red shoes the day before! 

Go Red Strut was so much fun! I spent almost two full days preparing and it took everything out of me. I was still pushing my antibiotics an hour before the event start! 

Twirling!

My besties, Mary and Tim kept me laughing and smiling. There is some video footage somewhere (taken by the AHA) of Mary and I dancing to music in our heads... Hope it never turns up! And did I mention there was a photo booth. =)

Not sure how Tim got the weirdest accessories.... But he sure got into the part!

Mary is channeling her "I am woman. Hear me Roar!"

Not sure what happened here....

Btw, I think I neglected to mention that: I GOT MY PICC LINE OUT!!! It's been two weeks and after about a week and a half of rest and reentering life, I finally feel much better. And I'm running again. Huzzah!

Possibly have some Ink Drawings coming out for sale later this week, stay tuned!

Claire's Parallel Movie Universe Continues...

Random Question:
Wouldn't it have been a completely different movie-viewing experience altogether if Zero Dark Thirty starred Tom Cruise instead of Jessica Chastain?????

"Don't worry America, I killed Bin Laden myself with a blow torch, a few hundred explosions and four car chases."

That is all....

To see another of Claire's Parallel Movie Universe "Episodes" Click here.

Missing Out on My Friend's Awesomeness but Not on Girl Scout Cookies

Boy, have I been missing out on some super cool art! Since I have been away from the art world and media for a little while, I haven't seen some of my artist friend, Crystal Moore's new art in a while! And now she has an abundance of it! My friend Crystal Moore is a super rad fantasy artist. She paints mainly in watercolors and inks. Just thought I'd share some of her newer, older, and experimental-gone-all-the-way-right works! Check out her website and Like her on Facebook!

Crystal's work is lovely. With glowing figures and colorful pallets her art shows a bright inner light that few other artists can replicate. What I love most about Crystal's work is the fact that every time she does something out of her comfort zone or when she just doodles mindlessly, she produces extraordinary things. Of course, I usually get a "behind the scenes" dose of whatever she is working on. I love hearing about her experiences. She is one of the hardest working artists I know. She is constantly experimenting and improving her craft. Make sure to give her some love and check out her art below!

The following artwork in this entry is by Crystal Moore. As with my artwork, there are to be no unauthorized reproductions, ©Copyright 2013 Crystal Moore, www.Enigmatic-Arts.com. 

Zentangle Raven by Crystal Moore
www.Enigmatic-Arts.com 

A super rad mermaid by Crystal Moore 

I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw this-- one of my favorite pieces by her!

Just wanted to share some of Crystal's awesomeness! Please check out her website and facebook, tell her I sent you. She is a really nice person and actually responds to your comments and love!

***

In other news, this is the first year that Girl Scouts have hunted me! I got stalked at a grocery store where I gave them all my money, then Mr. Timothy Schmimothy brought me two more boxes while I was sick, then my own personal Girl Scout, Rebecca facebooked me and threatened me (so I'm getting two more boxes).

Gotta say, it has been refreshing not having to hunt down Girl Scouts this year! Thanks guys for force-feeding me Girl Scout Cookies!

Cross Your Fingers!

Even Endocarditis didn't stop me from strutting!
A preview from Go Red Strut (blog coming soon!)
The white band on my arm is my PICC line (an IV that delivers meds directly to my heart). 

Today is the first day I am off my meds! I do realize that I sound like a psychopath who is no longer taking much needed medication for behavioral disorders, but that's not actually what I mean...

After a six week antibiotic treatment and a few scary hospital stays for Endocarditis (infection of the heart valve) I finally got word from my Infectious Disease doctor (oh yeah, I got one of those) that my body seems to be regulating and the infection is fully clearing up on schedule!!!

I have to wait for a few more days and get a few tests of how my body is doing off the antibiotics to make sure the endocarditis is GONE and never coming back! Otherwise, if the infection comes back, I will probably get another six week treatment and possibly more hospital stays... Ugh! 

As long as my body is reacting well without antibiotics, hopefully this week I can get my PICC line out! The PICC line is an IV that snakes in through a vein in my my left bicep, through my shoulder and into my heart. I can't use my left arm for very much.  So cross your fingers that my body stays infection-free and that I can get the OK this week to get the line out and above all, start living normally again! (I'm gonna do so many push ups!)

I was severely sleep deprived due to my meds, so with my newfound energy I am going to draw a lot of comics!! Most of these comics are going to be inside jokes with my friends and cannot be seen by anyone but that friend (for the sake of my friends' embarrassment). However, I shall try to sneak a few in here when I can to keep you all entertained!

(Go Red Strut Blog and Pictures coming soon!!)

The Oscars, Another Hospital Visit, and Miss Coriander

The Academy Awards are over and this year is the first time ever that I have seen every movie nominated for Best Picture. This year there were a ridiculous NINE nominations instead of the usual and sensible five. It would have been easier in the past for me to see five than nine, but this year I have a film-major-man-friend on my side named Tim.

Even a week-long trip to the hospital and over a month of unknowingly having Endocarditis couldn't stop us from seeing all these films (it did slow us down though).

Last Thursday night I ran into some doubt that would even be able to watch the Oscars because I landed back in the hospital! Lucky for me it was only an allergic reaction to the medications I've been injecting for three weeks through the PICC line in my arm... No biggie. The doctors gave me a new intravenous medication, a million medical tests and I was out of the hospital in a mere 19 hours. (yayyyy!)

Anyways, I quite enjoyed the Oscars this year. Of course Billy Crystal will probably remain my favorite Oscar host, but Seth MacFarlane had enough musical references to keep me completely satisfied (especially the Sound of Music Joke).

Argo deservedly won for best picture. It was racked with so many suspenseful-edge-of-your-seat-and-squeeze-the-heck-out-of-the-hand-of-whoever-is-sitting-next-to-you moments that I think Tim's hand got permanently crippled. (I'm an intense movie viewer. It can be dangerous to sit next to me during a film.)

Argo's basic plot is about a CIA agent (Ben Affleck) trying to help six American Diplomats escape from Iran by posing as a Canadian film crew. The plot is suppose to be ridiculous... It's part of what made the plan in the movie and in real life actually work. 

What is outstanding about this movie is how it was directed. There have been a lot of comments and outrage about Ben Affleck getting snubbed for the Oscars, and I agree. 

I know most people hate Ben Affleck for plenty of valid reasons (Pearl Harbor, Gigli). But I think it's time we gave him a chance and the respect that he deserves for directing a great film. No one could have directed the movie quite with the style and brilliance that he did. 

Don't believe me?

Then just imagine watching the same movie: directed by Woody Allen.

"The Iranians will totally buy that I'm a Canadian film producer."

I believe strongly the movie would have been just as brilliant, but probably more of a comedy than a suspenseful based-on-real-events-drama.

While I'm a huge Woody Allen fan, I know many of you aren't. So be nice to Ben Affleck.

In other news, I'm still alive... I'm just moving rather slow. So many friends, family and strangers have sent their well-wishes. I couldn't be more grateful for all of you. Thank you!!

Also, just a special little shout-out to Coriander Shea Detwiler: Last night the fairies brought me a present full of healing love and well-wishes from Miss Coriander who is not only an amazingly talented artist, but also is my Big Faery Sister. Anyways, Cori is super fantastic in every way and is one of the kindest souls I know. Please click her name to view her website, Like her Facebook and buy a ton of her extraordinary artwork!

Thanks and may the fairies stay far away from your coffee today! (it's one of those Thursdays that feels like a Monday)

Out of the Hospital and Taking it Easy: Heart Awareness Month

Day 5 in the Hospital with flowers from my family

Some of you may have seen my facebook recently which declared taking a break due to medical reasons. I would love to write a detailed blog entry about what that specifically means, but my energy is extraordinarily low. I lost a lot of weight while in the hospital and am extremely weak. (possibly coz hospital food is wretched) I'll have to summarize now and write more later.

Basically, I just got out of a week long hospital stay on Thursday, the 31st of January. I wrote in an earlier blog that I had the flu-- well, apparently it WAS NOT THE FLU!

My doctors (I had at least 6 of them including Cardiology and Infectious Disease doctors) finally tracked that I had Endocarditis, which in short, is an infection in the lining and valves of my heart. While this is generally bad news for most people, it's even worse news for me due to my heart conditions which have led me to a few open-heart surgeries... LUCKILY, I did not have to have another open-heart surgery this time around! The doctors administered around the clock antibiotics and by Tuesday I was finally showing signs of improving.

I was sent home with a PICC line, which is basically like a hardcore IV. The PICC is inserted in my left arm and there is a plastic wire that snakes up my arm, through my shoulder, and into my heart. Because of the PICC, I personally inject antibiotics intravenously four times a day for 2.5 hours at a time. Don't worry, I only have to do this for 6 whole weeks...

My planner right now is filled with injection times, pill times, and doctor visits. My job is now my health.

On the plus side, this couldn't have come at a better time, as February is Heart Health Awareness Month!!! (trying to find a silver lining somehow!) Usually I sell products on my website and donate a dollar from every product to the American Heart Association. This year, I do not have energy to fill orders. But please spread the word and try to focus on good Heart Health-- it is SO important for everyone. If you would like to donate to the American Heart Association, they are the reason why I get to be alive today. They are an amazing organization and the donations help fund research! Their website is www.heart.org Their site has a multitude of information on Healthy Living and if you are inspired to donate, the button is in the upper right corner.

I hope at some point to write a more detailed blog about my hospital stay and experiences. For now, I thought I'd give a general update to my family, friends, fans and caring people. So many of you sent me so many sweet texts, phone calls, comments on facebook, positive messages, hospital visits and prayers. I am so happy to know I have so many True-Blue friends and the best family I could ask for! I couldn't be more grateful to you all. Thank you for your kindness, support and prayers during this wild trip in my life.

Go forth and be Heart-Healthy!

2012: A Year of Art and Cat Shenanigans in Pictures

Jaz and I wish you a Happy New Year!

2013 already?! Jeez! Sorry this New Year's Blog is late-- I started it around Early January and then realized that I had the flu for three weeks... Still have the flu, hope this blog make sense. 

Well, I had a pretty good 2012-- I took a lot of what wasn't working out of my life and made way for bigger, better and brighter things. This year at SFSU was extremely productive-- I have tons of new art from my classes which I'm very proud of. I have posted some of my favorites below.

Cranes- unfinished oil painting on canvas board from Painting Class

Still life - 18x24 Oil on Canvas Board

Unfinished Cloth Study (Classwork) Charcoal Drawing 

2x3 foot Abstraction Assignment - Oil on Stretched Canvas

"Recreation of Master Painting" Assignment 18x24 inches - Oil on Canvas Board
This painting was recreated from a bad photocopy of a GORGEOUS  Peter Paul Rubens painting titled "The Elevation of the Cross"

As you can see, I got a lot of time to practice in very different mediums and styles. I can't wait for this upcoming semester! Hope to have slightly more time for the blog during this new semester...

Every year I resolve to spend more time exercising and getting healthy and every year I do a little bit more. 2012 blew every other year out of the water because I started running. With lots of patience and determination, I ran 130 miles just last year!!! I create these goals mostly for my heart health (being born with heart defects, I have had three open-heart surgeries). As usual this year starting late January/early February, I'll be donating $1 from every product sold (from my art websites) to the American Heart Association. If not for the AHA, I would not be here writing this blog! So the healthy exercise goals are a must. This year, I'm signing up for 5k and 10k races so I don't fall behind.

***

Jasper resolved to be more obnoxious last year but instead he became more of a sweetheart and more annoying at the same time. He was forced into some play-dates in order to make some new friends. This is how I learned that cats can be the most stubborn of creatures. Below he is meeting my friend's cats, Panda and Denny (who are nearly twice his size).

From left to right: Jasper, Panda, Denny

 Above, Jasper is being a jerk and hoarding the other cats' food bowl. Denny is not happy about this and Panda is trying to mediate. 

Jasper and Panda like to give each other kisses

That is all for now. Sorry this blog is a half-effort. I *do* still have the flu, so I'm going to go to sleep and hope I get better in time for the new semester. *Ah-choo!*

Runner's Side Stitches are not like Hiccups

I know, I know: it's been FOREVER since I last blogged. I'm sorry! I have a perfectly good explanation for it though, you ready? I haven't had time. There.

Four studio classes and commuting into San Francisco everyday does not leave much time for anything. On the plus side, I have a whole host of artwork to show for it! Nearly none of it is fairy/fantasy related, but it's still pretty cool. But more on that in a different blog, perhaps. (sorry!)

Anyway, it's FINALLY Thanksgiving break which of course is my favorite time of year. I didn't actually know that I got a break from school until maybe a week ago. Of course I "forgot" to tell my work about the fact that I have a whole week off... And I'm sure I won't remember to tell them any time soon! (Though with the mountain of homework, it's needed!)

So I am enjoying my break immensely. I even started running again. Turns out when you take a few months off from running after previously running 4-5 days a week, it's not nearly as difficult to get back into it as I feared. That is of course, until you encounter the dreaded "Side Stitch" also known as a "cramp from exercising" on one of your first runs back out.

On my first run out this week, (out of three so far-- go me) right after I hit my second mile, I got a side stitch so bad, I was going to pass out. I tried everything I could think of to get rid of it. I tried slowing my pace, I tried walking, I tried "breathing into the stitch"-- which my friend Mary suggested and it's pure nonsense!-- I tried drinking water, I even resorted to resting for five minutes and starting up again slowly: NOTHING! It wouldn't go away and I was starting to make some pretty terrible faces at passing cars. To those passing cars, I do apologize! I had a side stitch!

After ten minutes of dealing with the cramp, I finally realized I had to walk home, which sucked because I run to get places and to be efficient. Walking is boring to me. So I began walking. And I drank more water. And I practiced deep breathing. Finally I got the bright idea to "scare the stitch away"-- it works with hiccups! When breathing and drinking water and waiting doesn't work, you have your friends scare the hiccups away! (this does not work for me with hiccups-- don't do this to me ever) Well, I've come to realize that when I run, I do not think very clearly (due to physical exhaustion or runner's high or something). So here I am moseying along, slowly, but surely with my side stitch then the next second- BAM! I'm sprinting like there's a wild hyena loose from the zoo after me! I even flailed my arms for effect.

And it totally worked!-- for about 2.38 seconds. Then it hit me like a gunshot wound and I bent forward, nearly collapsing, clutching my side, cursing loudly and laughing at the ridiculousness of the whole idea. I probably looked like *I* had escaped from a zoo. So much for scaring the stitch away through sprinting...

I will say that it probably looked downright hilarious from anyone possibly watching through their window... Or maybe whoever was watching was deeply disturbed by my zombie-like behavior, thought the end was near, packed up their apocalypse survival kits, and fled to the hills. If that is the case, I apologize for sending you to the hills... I do hope you're at least enjoying the views.

Anyways, I still didn't get rid of the stitch, but on today's run when I got a stitch, it wasn't as bad-- so maybe it's a thing your body gets used to over time?

Anyways, til next time!

Throwing Ceramics Sounds Like Fun- in Theory!

Failed Monster Pot-- Day 2 of ceramics

So, I'm in a ceramics class... Clearly, I am no ceramics prodigy. My two friends who I see every day, Noah and Andrew are also no ceramics prodigies. Therefore the entire class is filled with "Your Mom" jokes, "So is your face" jokes, "That's what she said" jokes and "Ghosting" jokes. It's basically three hours of insults around while creating "things" out of clay. 

A girl from my Textiles class who is a ceramics major mentioned that once you get into "throwing," the class is much more fun. My immediate thought involved me throwing all my ceramics pieces at a wall. That *did* sound rather fun! Unfortunately, "throwing" refers to spinning clay on a wheel and making vases and pots and useless stuff. 

So far I have made a pot shaped like a monster, a cat bowl, a square flower pot that says "Flower Pot" on the side, a sort of replica of Winnie The Pooh's "Hunny Pot" and a maraca.... I am dying inside.

Five Hour Intermission with Nathan Detroit: Complete with Cartwheels

The following is another unconventional writing style about the best/worst day ever. Also, some mild content is involved. I would rate this blog a PG-13. And if any of this seems like a big, long, ridiculous inside joke-- it is. Enjoy!

This morning has been one from hell. I must have walked under a ladder, or broken a mirror, or crossed a black cat (most likely). Bad luck is following me today.

Now it's a distressing phone call. After I hang up feeling extremely saddened, I hear my name called.

Smiling Nathan Detroit strides over to me in his teeshirt-- clearly a city kid. He's quite the opposite of me with my coat and scarf-- clearly a far East Bay resident.

At this point in my day after so many mishaps, I'm processing emotions inappropriately. I blurt out that I sat in a puddle, and almost died twice, and other things, and missed the train, and even more other things, and spilled my coffee-- showing him my skirt to prove it. I tell him about the awful call. I start giggling. Then laughing, then I can't stop. It's loud laughing. Nathan says I'm a horrible person. I agree. We go get coffee. It's better than potentially crying or processing emotions like a psychopath.

We have five hours to kill at SFSU. It's a nice day. It's also five hours.

He munches his scone and leads me through throngs of sorority girls and club presidents. We shout "No" at everyone. We don't want to join their stupid club.

It's a nice day. No one goes on the grass because it's wet. We rebel.

Soon, everyone is following our lead. We caused this. We're heroes! We high-five. We make fun of people. We commiserate. We're both miserable.

We point at others. Make up names and stories, try to see if the brunette in the dress is a man. He is. His shoulders are too rounded for a female we decide.

Nathan wishes he were taller. I ask him about being a smooth criminal. We possibly burst into song a few too many times.

A scene from a movie appears before us. The leading man holds the leading lady's hand as they bashfully look away from each other. She jumps into his arms. He catches her. He's even holding her books. We agree that they're @$$#*!&$ and shout as much as they pass. No one can hear us anyway. There's too much loud music and sororities.

Millie joins us in the sun. More college humor is brought up. Especially about floral patterns.

The photography major takes my picture in the sun. There is talk of tents and drool. We all have to pee.

After we take full effect of the buddy system, we sit up the hill and watch pretty-Thor slack-rope. We have a soundtrack and a good band. Later Dredlock-Thor slack-ropes. So does Millie. She's as good as both Thors. No one is great. Millie has to go "table" for her club.

I suggested that Nathan go slack-rope while we continue to kill 5 hours. He won't. But he cartwheels.

I haven't cartwheeled since I was 8. I'm going to get grass stains. I don't care.

In 3 minutes Nathan has taught me to cartwheel. I've lost my coat, watch, scarf and cardigan and am 8-years-old again, cartwheeling all over the wet grass. It's exhilarating. We still have 2 hours. We're still miserable.

We verbalize our fears. We get angry at causes. We don't know what to say. We're talkative, and we're speechless, and we're upset. So I teach him how to make grass whistle.

The trick behind Quail-Calling is to make others either look confusedly in your general direction or to shout at you. The grass is not long enough. We have a bit of success. We get some looks and someone screams "Shut UP" as we laugh maniacally and give ourselves away. The grass is too short though. We'll wait for Thursday when the grass will be longer. Thursday will be epic we decide. We're going to do this again.

We're miserable. We're happy. We look into the cloudless sky. We are grateful for the other's company. We break into song and high-five a bit more.

As Nathan Detroit and I part ways, I realize that I am also sun-burnt-- through my shirt! The metaphorical bad-luck black cat is apparently going to follow me the rest of the day... But at least the five hour intermission was quite epic.

On the grass, in the sun, enjoying a five-hour intermission.
Picture courtesy of the photography major.

Kittens are Not Dependable Alarm Clocks

Hoo-ray for comic panels!

Jasper the Cat and I had this agreement going for a while during the school year when I had to wake up at 4:30 every morning. He would consistently wake me up around 5am if I wasn't already up and either meow incessantly, slam doors (don't ask me how a cat slams a door) or crawl on me until I got up. 

This used to be pretty useful for days when I was slow to get out of bed. I like being a morning person, but try as I might, I cannot get myself out of bed without help from usually another person (or cat) and at LEAST 2 different alarms that I ignore and hit snooze repeatedly all the while I dream that my alarms are really polka-dots (totally dreamed that).

The inner workings of Claire's mind can be frightening.

Anyways, two months into summer vacation, Jasper is still Mr. Dependable Wake Mommy Up At 5am... He also has become a night owl (due to my staying up late if I don't have to get up early) and now he only sleeps between the hours of 3:00am-3:15am. This would not do.

I decided that I would need to (just like with humans) fix his sleep cycle. For the past 48 hours, I have not let him sleep at all during the day. It helped that I had two days off to do this. If I saw him taking a catnap, I threw a cat toy at him and made him play. I also annoyed him, poked him, made him look out windows, sang loudly at him, chased him around the house, played with him, gave him catnip, let him explore dresser drawers and closets, and danced with him (also while singing loudly). By yesterday evening, he was out like a light and hiding behind a bunch of dark colored pillows as a way of blending in. Jasper usually likes to sleep only on all white/beige materials, so this was a good sign.

I'm explorin'! No girls allowed!

Last night I planned on going for a run this morning at 6am. I figured my 12 alarm clocks and Jasper would surely wake me up. As it was, 10:00am rolled around and Jasper was sleeping on my face. Yes, I'm dead serious, on 'mah FACE! Jasper usually sleeps on my bed, but he always sleeps down at my feet (to attack them). He was also taking up a good portion of my two pillows. When I nudged him groggily, he was just simply purring at me!?!? Purring as if nothing delighted him more in the whole world than to be laying on *my* face. I wondered momentarily if some other cat came in the middle of the night and took Jasper's place, since this was clearly not my cat. My cat does not snuggle on faces. I drew a one-panel comic to illustrate.

So while the plan to get the baby-- I mean cat-- to sleep through the night worked, I can no longer use him as an alarm clock. Though I did get a wonderful night's sleep and shall continue to make sure his sleep cycle conforms to mine! Bwahahahha!

Btw, slightly on topic, though not the point, I *did* go on a run this morning, however it was four hours later than intended. *shrug*

Thanks for dealing with my oddities! I know I have been drawing a lot of comics lately and not releasing actual art... That's only because I take a picture of the comics with my cellphone, and with large paintings and drawings, I must scan those in and take hours of getting things adjusted right. Your patience will be rewarded with new art soon, I promise!

Send me a Tweet if you're digging the comics or if you have some interesting Cat-Sleep issues that you've gone through!