Stereotype Snapshot

On Valentine’s Day I was the photographer for this Stereotype Snapshots Photo Booth at a One Billion Rising march/event.

The idea is that you choose a cardboard stereotype from a selection of (for this event gender-related) stereotypes. This is what you find that people see you as. Then, your can either embrace or rebut that stereotype with what you choose to write on the chalkboard.

I chose to combat the “girls are bossy, boys are leaders” double standard, because that is one I have experienced the negative effects of time and time again.To learn more check out…

The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (http://www.santacruzmah.org)

The teen program there (of which I am a part of)  called Subjects to Change (http://www.subjectstochange.org)

and the global One Billion Rising Movement (http://www.onebillionrising.org)

Observational Drawing

I didn’t find the time to sit in my garden and sketch. I made it.

Respecting myself in this way is so rewarding.

Give in to your creative needs. Sink your toes into the earth. BREATHE.I promise you won’t regret it.

Resistance…

resist. persist. exist.

Collage: Magazine Clippings

 

Burst.

like a phoenix

the decay

only feeds the rebirth.

Inspired…

…janis, childhood memories, collage, pigs on the wing, the 70’s, orange, ernest hemingway…

mixtape monday: bob dylan

1. Girl From the North Country – my absolute favorite, but surprisingly hard to find on youtube… here’s a version with Johnny Cash, which isn’t as good as the studio version, but still rock’s in its own way.
2. Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right – just like GFTNC this song showcases the amazing fingerpicking style that I can only dream of learning to play.
3. Blowin’ in the Wind – okay, as you’ve probably noticed by now The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan is my favorite album, and this song I can play on the guitar…. which makes me love it even more.
4. Subterranean Homesick Blues – (a different album!) and unless you belong to my generation or you live under a rock, you’ve seen the music video.
5. Masters of War – this brings out the little activist in me, makes further visible the darkness of organized war. The lyrics are genius.

DIY: Terrariums!

I’ve been wanting to make terrariums en masse ever since my friend cultivated one for me with moss from a local park, I fell in love with it, and it died a slow, dry death while I was on vacation (naive to my need of a terrarium-sitter).

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DIY Terrarium

any sort of container that can hold water (I’ve used mason jars, candle votives, glass boxes, hanging glass orbs, etc. I’ve seen lightbulbs, apothecary jars, and wine glasses be used.)

here’s one identical to mine from amazon

 

In your container form equal layers of:

1. pebbles/gravel (allows for drainage)
2. activated charcoal (keeps it from molding)
3. soil (potting, some stuff from your backyard, whatever)

Now it’s time to add some plants (moss, succulents, ferns). These terrariums do best in indirect sunlight, and need to be misted with a few squirts from a spray bottle every four or so days, so any plants that like that kind of care will love their new home.

Finish it off with some sand and smooth pebbles for a zen effect, some small clay figurines if you’re cutesy, or any interesting crap you can find in your junk drawer.

TAH DAH!

❤ Trinity

The Fungus Among Us

A winter’s walk in the woods…

Everything was glistening with dampness from all this lovely rain. A mushroom haven.

The delicately frilled edges of many fungi varieties make me want to pick up a pencil and mimic them in my sketchbook. They are reminiscent of art deco in their flowing organicness.

Imperfection is perfection for these little creatures…
❤ Trinity

DIY: Healing Face Mask and Sugar Scrub

From Left to Right: Sugar Scrub and Calming Face Mask

Healing Face Mask

1 tbsp Honey

1tsp Nutmeg

1/2 tsp Vitamin E Oil

I almost never actually measure out the ingredients for this mask, just eyeball the ratios and save yourself from washing the measuring spoons!

• Mix ingredients together – to form a thick paste. I do this right in the container I’m planning to store it in.
• Wet your face – (or do a face steam!) to open your pores and increase the honey’s spreadability on our skin. If your skin isn’t already clean, clean it NOW!
• Spread the mask on your skin – using your fingers or the back of a spoon. I find that the spoon helps combat the stickiness of the honey.
• Let it sit – for as long as you can stand having a sticky mess on your face. Taking the pictures for this post with this mask on my face was difficult, and I think there is a little bit of stickiness in my viewfinder! This mask is so soothing and not at all drying. Therefore, there is no limit to how long you can keep it on or how often you can apply it.
• Wipe it off with a washcloth using small circular motions so as to harness the exfoliating powers of the nutmeg! Sometimes I rub my face in circles with my hands intermittently while wearing the mask for extra exfoliating opportunities.
• Follow with some toner, moisturizer, etc. Whatever you put on after you wash your face.

This mask is THE BEST thing I’ve ever done for my skin! I absolutely love that it never feels harsh or drying on my skin like many clay masks. Sometimes I slather it on after another more powerful mask to reduce redness or irritation.

For a wordier post and more info about the healing properties of the ingredients check out my source for this mask here.

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Exfoliating Sugar Scrub

As much Sugar as you would like to make of this scrub

Olive oil

A few drops of the Essential Oils of your choice (I used Lavender)

• Put the sugar in a bowl and add olive oil in small amounts until all the sugar is just sticking together. It it not necessary to use a lot of oil in this recipe.
• Add your essential oils and stir again.
• Transfer to a storage container.
• Use in the bath or shower to exfoliate your skin. I would consider this scrub too harsh for the face but wonderful for the legs, arms and shoulders. This scrub is great to use before shaving because it is removes the dead skin cells and lets you get a closer shave. If it’s been a while, I like to shave once, use the scrub, and then do a quick once over with the razor again. Also, the oil in this scrub makes it lightly moisturizing, which is a wonderful bonus.

This scrub (and the mask) make great little gifts too! Just pack some in mini mason jars, garnish with a homemade label and some raffia, and BAM!

Enjoy!!!