Inspirational Lovlies - Artist Monica Guerrero-Abney

I first met Monica through email since I realized from her blog that she lived in the Houston area. One email was all it took.  We became fast friends and I consider her one of my closest friends now.  She is honestly one of the most genuine, sweetest people I have had the pleasure of being around.  She has an amazing fashion blog, Classy & Fabulous, and also runs her own art business on Etsy. (Visit her HERE)
I could not wait to share her fabulous work with you all and her interview so you can get a quick glimpse into her inspirations and passions.  
Monica gave me these two painting for Christmas. I was totally surprised! She made sure they matched my wardrobe room perfectly, and they most definitely DID!!

Now let's get to know Monica:

Have you always been artistic even at a young age?

Yes! Since I can remember I always had to be drawing or painting or creating something. I’m guessing it started as a child to keep me entretain. I was an only child for 11 years and as every only child knows we get bored very fast, drawing and painting was always something that keep me occupied for hours and I really enjoyed.

What was your first piece?

Honestly, I can’t remember (sorry) I ALWAYS draw or paint and started experimenting with acrylics, watercolors and pastels when I was about 10. My parents have a few paintings from back when I was 12 – 13 years old. Also when my brother was moving into my old room he and my dad found some fashion sketches that I drew when I was about 11.

How have your painting evolved over time?

 I remember as a kid sketching everything and anything, I didn’t really had any technique. When I was in middle school, I remember learning about post impressionism, Impressionism, cubism and pop art; that truly change my life. I felt in love with ‘starry night’ by Vincent van Gogh ( just like everyone who’ve seen it, It is truly Brilliant! ) and start to paint with a more of an impressionist or even some times pop art – ish technique. Later during my high school and even college year I was obsess with panting flowers and vegetables. Now I’m having a fashion / European obsession I guess.

Have you always been interested in painting fashion pieces?

Fashion has always been one of my favorite things to either sketch or paint.  I have been sketching clothing since I was a little girl. Even as a little girl I made sure all my Barbies had the best outfits. Recently I started to sketch more for my blog. There you can see how my sketching technique has changed in only one year.  Also lately with my fashion / European obsession (lol) I been painting many pieces inspired by fashion in a pop art style, such as hand bags and the iconic Chanel no 5

Speaking of fashion, you run your own fashion blog, Classy & Fabulous (which is fabulous by the way); what made you decide to get into the fashion blogging industry?

Awww Thank you! Well I have always been obsess with fashion. A little more than a 1 years  ago I was watching E! news ( please don’t judge me) during fashion week and they mention how huge the influence of bloggers was getting in the fashion community. Ok so at first I had no idea what a blogger was ( again please don’t judge lol ) so I went on line and read a few blogs. I notice that not many had tips on how to dress or look good wearing something, It was mostly pictures of them self at parties wearing fabulous clothes (mostly because it was during fashion week) . So I decide to just write one with little tips on how to wear a trend or with simple things as the essentials for your closet.

Do you prefer painting to blogging?

To be honest I love both but painting is so much deeper! I love blogging and communicating with fellow ‘fashionistas’ who also appreciate the art ( yes! it’s an art) of fashion, but painting comes from the heart.

What mediums do you like to work with most?

I’m very old school. Well I guess it is more than I don’t have any art education ( boo!) so anything with computers I have no idea how to do. My favorites are acrylic and watercolor! Simple and so much fun!

Where do you gather inspiration for colors, etc?

I can’t really tell you were my inspiration comes from, I wish I could, but for me it’s the oddest thing;  I get an idea on my head and I just have to create it. My use for bright colors I’m guessing is my child like spirit and I mean bright colors can always bright your day! =)

  

What projects are you working on now that you would like to share with us?

Right now I’m working with Life + Dog magazine as a fashion editor. Hopefully still working on C& F and as always painting =)

Don't forget to visit Monica on her blog and her Etsy store!!!


Here are more FABULOUS pieces by Monica!

This girl is talented!!


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A Styling Opportunity for the Non-Profit Autumn's Dawn

I don't post just a whole lot about my personal life, but today is different.  I have a 20 year old sister whom I adore and love with all of my heart named Autumn Dawn Howard.  She is one of the many blessings I have as far as close relationships go, and I enjoy each and every moment we spend together.  Autumn struggled through much of her junior high and especially high school years.  Not because Autumn wasn't smart or didn't apply herself, Autumn has Asperger's Syndrome. Asperger's Syndrome is a developmental disorder that makes it very hard for one to interact socially with others.  It has similar traits as autism, but many Asperger's children go undetected and are simply classified as "socially awkward."  Autumn was not diagnosed until the age of 16, so she went almost her entire school career without a diagnoses.  This is the reason my parents put together the non-profit organization called Autumn's Dawn.  Autumn's Dawn is an organization dedicated to the development of young adults finishing high school with Autism Spectrum Disorders into a stable independent adult life.  While trying to find options for Autumn after high school, my parents realized that there were not a lot and statistics showed many of these young adults ending up without jobs and without friends.  They were determined this would not happen to my sister and wanted to help other young adults in the same situation.

This is my sweet sister, Autumn

The Autumn's Dawn center officially opened in October 2010 and has been getting organized and prepared to take on clients and begin seminars to help these clients.  One of the center's first clients was a young lady by the name of Linda.  After going through testing and setting up goals for herself, Linda decided it would be necessary for her to revamp her entire wardrobe.  She is normally intimidated by shopping and not sure what to buy or even what style she wanted.  That is where I got to be of service to her.  The Director of Programming, Amy, asked if I would like to join she and Linda for a shopping extravaganza! Would I!?? I was SO excited to be a part of this organization and volunteer to help out in any way I could.  So last Thursday me, Amy, and Linda headed out for a shopping trip to remember! We went to Kohl's and all picked out many different outfits for Linda to try.  She tried on every single piece of clothing we put together, and she even learned how to shop, what she did and didn't like, and she said that she had fun! This was the first time she had gone shopping stress free!
She even let me video some of our adventure with my new Flip.  I put together a little video montage of our outing, and I used music from The Cure since Linda told me she really liked them.
This organization is so near and dear to me, I just had to share it with everyone!! And if you want to read more about Autumn's Dawn or have questions about Aspergers's Syndrome, click HERE.
Here is our video!!



Thank you All!!

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Inspirational People - Artist Celia Castle

I wanted to devote Sunday posts to anything inspirational. Whether that be an inspirational subject, person, pictures, art, etc!  This week, I wanted to feature my sister in law, Celia Castle's marvelous artwork that she actually sells on her Etsy shop, Celia's Art.  She is madly talented and I am so blessed and lucky to have her beautiful artwork hanging in my own home! 

This is Celia on her wedding day. I love this picture of her!

I wanted to ask Celia a few questions so you can get to know her a little better and see what inspires her paintings.  She is such a creative person and I find that so intriguing.  I think we are probably both two of the most creative people in our family! I want to thank her so much for doing this and please go visit her site, (HERE) she has so many gorgeous painting to see.

Have you always considered yourself what others would say an "artsy" person?

I attended an arts and science magnet school when I was in middle school but I am not sure I understood what that meant.  When I was in high school, my favorite subject was art and I knew that I wanted to pursue a career where I could express myself.  I have always been me.

At what age would you say you became interested in art?

When I was in the 8th grade, I went to Italy on a school trip for spring break.   At our trip reunion I noticed that my photographs looked different from the other students and my father noticed a difference as well.   My father gave me his Pentax Spotmatic, an old film camera that I treasure to this day.   The camera was my first introduction to photography.

You went to RISD (Rhode Island School of Design, which ROCKS by the way!) for an undergraduate degree in Photography. You are now focusing more on painting, which includes opening your own Etsy shop, Celia art.  Has what you learned in photography carried over into your painting at all, and in what way??

At RISD and many other art schools, all freshmen take the same design, drawing, 3d and art history classes.   You do not start classes in your major until your sophomore year.   Design principles and color harmonies are the same whether it is painting or photography.   I like to think, once you know the rules then you can break them! I believe I started painting because I could immediately see the results of my work.   I can manipulate and feel the paint, rather than take a picture, fix it on the computer and then wait for the print. I enjoy photography and will always enjoy this medium of expression.  I just really like getting my hands dirty in paint too!

How do you come up with an idea when you are starting a new painting?

When I am painting I may be influenced from a new color of paint, a design I saw on a shirt or even something simple as a feeling of calmness from a morning walk.   Lately I am using mostly earth colors with touches of copper, bronze and gold.   I am drawn to the outside…to the trees, sky and landscapes.

Do you do one painting from start to finish all in one sitting?

I have never done that! (haha) My husband is wonderful.  He helps me setup sawhorses outside and I spread 10-12 canvases out at once to paint my backgrounds.  I normally spend one or two days painting backgrounds, then bring them into my studio and start details on individual paintings.

Do you work on more than one painting at a time?

In my paintings I build layers upon layers of color, texture and pattern.   I work on many paintings at once moving from section to section developing the layers on each painting.   I began using this process so each layer can dry before I work on top of it.   Sometimes the outcome is unexpected and happy accidents take on new meanings.

What are your favorite types of mediums to use?

I am fond of acrylic paint because it dries quickly and I can add many textures to it.   I have recently started playing with an oil paint that is water-soluble.   The colors are amazing!

You are also an art teach to in Birmingham, Alabama (not to mention teacher of the year last year!) What is your favorite art project that you have taught to date?

I enjoy any projects that are extremely hands-on.   We painted on top of bubble wrap in 3rd grade and my 5th grade students are painting on canvas.  They love it! Many students have not been exposed to artist materials such as canvas and acrylic paints.

Have any of your school art projects affected your paintings outside of work?

For three years I was the art teacher at a countywide special needs school.   This experience had an enormous impact on my personal work. It is easy for us to take our sight and perceptions for granted. I created projects that taught each child in a personal way given their disability.  Each student could participate.   That is where I started painting on bubble wrap and Legos… which I use in all almost all of my paintings.

Here are some of her pieces that are available right now! I have my eye on this first one. HAHA!!