a m e l i a   f a i s   h a r n a s

These 5 are the best of the latest 3 rounds of winestains employing my new electric djanting for greater control & my new double burner hotplate so that I can work indoors (my first rounds were all done in the backyard using a propane grill) without having to maneuver things on a stovetop (too tricky). 

Plus, I'm thrilled to have a little setup out at Beulahland. Since the house is heated by a wood burning furnace, indoor temperatures almost reach sauna-level, which means the wine stain sets faster. Also, instead of using a drawing for the base that took me all of 5 minutes to sketch (because I felt that I could not afford to use up my staining time too much!), I'm actually doing portrait studies, taking more time to start with a better drawing. Fancy that!

All in all, I am absolutely tickled with this new progress. I simply cannot wait to begin new round after new round!

"52 Card Psycho," by G. Alan Rhodes, currently on display at the Black & White Biennial at Exhibit A, has been much too much fun for me (as shown in the video below). This installation makes it possible for you to play with the shots from the shower scene in Hitchcock's, "Psycho." So, I had fun with grouping and arranging shots - next on my list is a dance mix version... (maybe)

Yes, it is possible to draw the codes by hand & have them read properly. 
So, yes, in fact, my sketchbook now plays video.

It's up until mid-March. Please do come & check it out.

This video sums up two major events on my horizon:
1) Halloween (my costume will be Chick with Steve Buschemi Eyes)
2) On Halloween Day, I will hop on a train (Amtrak!) and spend 3 days traveling to PORTLAND.

Just wanted to let you all know. Now please excuse me while I go dance like a 7 year old at a birthday party featuring a ball pit, candy and caffeinated root beer.

I was hoping to have my apartment be a part of the "Apartment Tour" on Market St., but, unfortunately, my landlords frowned upon the idea (for good reasons). Currently, I am very proud of my bathroom. I want to show it off!! So, I posted a photo on facebook last night, thinking people would find the absurdity of it amusing...

Moreover, years later, when I get all nostalgic (and if I still have this blog and this website) and read through archived posts, I can chuckle a bit myself.

Yes, if a genie were to pop out of my stove-top espresso maker in a poof of delightful coffee-scented majesty, bellowing a spiel about wishes, I now know what my first wish would be. Millions of dollars? Meh. A super handsome super nerd with hick roots, undying love and loyalty, and an impeccable sense of humor? Maybe. The cure for cancer and conservatism? Hmm.....

Being able to dance like this guy?

Today, my wine stains were featured in a major art & design blog, This Is Colossal. It all happened via Facebook, in a 24-hour link recommendation blowout. You see, I met this ridiculously wonderful young woman, who goes by Zum Zum, and her boyfriend, when they hosted me, via Couchsurfing, in The Hague, The Netherlands, last winter. We got along well and stayed in touch. Usually, that's about where the couchsurfing story ends.

However, about a week ago, after posting some new embroideries, she wrote me a message saying that she wanted the whole world to know just how cool the wine stains are. Another week passes and BOOM, I'm on the blog.

My heart did cartwheels. I whooped and hollered. If I had a gun at that moment, I probably would have fired it at the heavens. I'll probably have to make do with a bottle of champagne this evening.

Yes, my dearies, this is colossal.