I Walk the Line...

New poster in the shop.

READ THIS BLOG

http://thebloggess.com/

I don't know this woman, but I want to. I think I might have a girl crush on her. This afternoon I came across a post on Facebook where one of my awesome friends (and you are ALL awesome) posted a link to this woman's blog. Being the curious individual I am, I clicked, I read, I laughed out loud ("LOL-ed" for you younger folk if you forgot what that really means) and I kept reading.

I was ravenous to read more. It was like reading all the thoughts I think but either rarely have the courage to do so, or when I do, I'm surrounded by people who judge me rather harshly. So, as a kindness and an act of sharing, I'm suggesting all of my two regular readers to go to her site and read up. You will be begging for more.

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On another note, I have not forgotten about the Joplin Poster donation process. The sales have slowed, and I'm setting up my Paypal account to directly donate to authorized charities. Expect a follow up soon.

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....aaaaaand another note; I am a recently engaged woman. This is not a lame attempt to get congrats or be fawned over.... I hate that. In fact, I've already told a young woman helping try a dress on to stop calling me a princess or we would have issues. So, why am I telling you this? It's more of a warning. I'm in full planning mode, and because I have no clue what I am doing and I'm not your average bride to be, I might be posting wedding crap I've designed on here for feedback and suggestions. Forgive me. Please.

Please Support the Victims of Joplin, MO

It seems like every time I get a chance to post on here lately it happens to be something totally random and not very... I'm grasping for straws to find the right word here. I feel like I haven't really promoted my hands on art as of late (?). That still doesn't seem right. I feel I'm neglecting this thing honestly. I feel like I was swooped up into the working world again only to get carried away with getting caught up and my time became less open.

Its times like that when something occurs. Something so surreal that it pulls you back down to reality with such veracity that you realize even though life is a highway, there are many rest stops and scenic routes you really shouldn't pass up. No, I am not talking about the rapture. My screeching to a halt moment happened to be Sunday, May 22, 2011. If you have been watching the news, then you'll probably know that I'm speaking of the Joplin, MO tornado.

I've lived in Missouri my whole life, so this really hit close to home. I have lots of friends in that area, and one of my oldest friends had a very close call. I found myself completely sucked into the news and media coverage about the whole situation. I soon found myself connecting with people I had never met and wishing them the best in finding loved ones and getting shelter. I couldn't believe how upset I had become over the entire situation. I wanted to do something. I almost drove down to volunteer, but I couldn't find the sound of mind individual in me to prepare for what I might actually see. Plus, I knew they already had their hands full of individuals who were already showing up left and right.

This still didn't deter the feeling that I wanted to do something. I decided to put my skills to use for good. Below you will find a link. It will direct you to my Etsy shop where I have four separate color posters for sale. They all have the same design; they all feature a poem written by Langston Hughes, titled Still Here. Hughes was born in Joplin, and this poem seemed nothing less than fitting for the situation.

This here is the important part. I'm taking all of the proceeds from each poster sale and donating them equally between the Red Cross and the Salvation Army efforts for Joplin. All that I ask of you is simple. I don't expect everyone to purchase a poster, however if you don't, what I would ask is that you share it. In that, I mean tell your friends, tell your co-workers or even post it on Facebook or Twitter. The more exposure the better. I don't plan on profiting off this in the least. It just my way of making an effort to something that has affected so many people around me and so many people I know.

So please, help me to make a difference, because if a lot of people pull together,

the impact could be amazing.

Etsy Shop... Please be sure to note there are four different color options.

Get your Bigfoot Poster

I've had an etsy account for a while now, but I finally decided to put it to some good use! If you're interested, I'm currently selling limited versions of my designs/illustrations as posters. I'm going to hopefully posting one a week (if life permits). Some more should be going up soon, just be patient and keep checking!

If you're interested in commissions please hit me up on the contact page.

Prints as of late

I've been working on some type poster prints lately. I've picked three separate quotes on three separate topics. Here are the first two on art/artists. Hopefully I can finish the third tonight. I've been thinking of making up some posters to sell. Whatchoo think?

UPDATE: I'll apologize now for the crappy display image quality.

The Woman Behind the Camera - What I learned from my Photographic Odyssey

The woman behind the camera - Still behind the camera.

As some of you might recall (well some of you constant followers, whomever you are), I did a 365 photo project last year. One photo a day for an entire year. I knew it wasn't anything new. I knew going into it that there might be some hard days to get into snapping away. I'll be the first to admit that I missed a few days here and there. There were only a few that I can count on one hand, and only missed them because of a hectic life. I also still have about five rolls of 120 film from a few days of the project that I have yet to develop and post to my photo-stream online.

This year I decided to forego the project. I didn't want to feel like I was stressed about taking my daily photo. I'll definitely own up to the truth; some days I just didn't even want to pick up a camera. I was afraid that I would overdo it. I was afraid that I might not make it the full year again. I was afraid that I might get burnt out on taking photos. I was afraid I was forcing it.

Over the last few weeks I've learned something about myself and the 365 project. I learned something from it. I learned a lot about photography, how to use multiple cameras, lighting, lenses and film. I believe that I improved my amateur hobby. That wasn't the most important thing I took from this experience. I've compiled a list of the things that I feel truly grateful for getting out of it, and I'm writing them down so I don't forget.

I learned...,

... even if I don't force myself to pick up the camera every day, I now want to pick up a camera...

...I get angry with myself if I go anywhere without a camera by my side. The opportunity always seems to present a photo when I am ill equipped...

...I appreciate the little things in life more, and I'm more apt to take photos of the little things to remember that blissful, happy moment in time...

...I really got around this last year. I saw some old friends from childhood, got to go home(town) more than I thought, had a lot of adventures and see some amazing things...

...I am more in love than words can explain. Looking back at special moments I caught on film and managed to snap make me smile and I'm glad to know I will always have those moments to look back on...

...I have an unhealthy obsession with my cats and dog...

and, last but not least...

...I am by no means a professional photographer. I wouldn't even say that to save my life, but I did learn that I am an amateur. A lover of photography.

2.21.11 2

2.21.11 2
Originally uploaded by Bigfoot Creative KC

Polaroid love...

Polaroid
Originally uploaded by Bigfoot Creative KC

a little polaroid doodle I whipped up in a few minutes for my valentine's card.

Almost ONE YEAR AGO!

2.17.10
Originally uploaded by Bigfoot Creative KC

This was taken on February 17, 2010. I was going through my "I want to have DARK hair like the rest of my family" phase. I was thinking of revisiting this. Maybe do another version of it? Thoughts? Ideas?

Not trying to sound totally narcissistic, but It might be kind of nice to have a year by year recap of myself.

Good Riddance 2010, Wait... What!?! Is it 2012 yet!?!

So we're all back from the holiday hurdle. Well, most of us that is. After the shenanigans that I have been through in 2010, I was glad to welcome the new year with open arms. A clean slate right? Don't we all get that feeling when the new year comes around? I guess I can't speak for most of you but I sure do. I always feel like the new year brings a whole new set of promises or opportunities, if you will.

After starting a new job, breaking some ribs after a nasty fall, learning I'm allergic to glutens, the Christmas excursion across the state then being broken down on the side of the highway at 9pm Christmas eve, getting back home to find that I needed a whole new engine in my car and finally braking the passenger-side window in our only remaining car, I have never been more ready for that clean slate. Now, I've embellished a bit here. The broken window happened after midnight new year's eve, but I did lose a button today on a jacket I've only worn once so that makes me a bit more jaded toward 2011 already. BRING ON 2012! The fact that I'm so willing to embrace the year of our apocalypse according to the few out there who still think that is

going to happen, speaks volumes.

Okay, this isn't a woe is me post. Really. I'm not asking for a pity party. Really, I've been up to a ton lately. I've been super busy with work, which is awesome, and I've been super busy pushing myself to the limits with my creativity.

Back in September, I got another opportunity to work with Clifton and Chase over at Reactor. They asked me to do an illustration for Intelligent Utility magazine. Not only was I proud to work with these awesome guys again, I was super proud to learn that it was going to be a cover illustration with some highlight spots on the inside.

I also started Sketching a ton more in my sketchbook lately.

Some of these I can't offer any explanation for. It's just my brain working without parameters.

I love awesome people...

A little over a year ago, some GREAT friends of mine hired me to do some quick sketches of them for their business cards. These awesome friends are from REACTOR design studio. These guys, Chase and Clifton, are awesome. No, scratch that, they are EPIC. To my surprise, the business cards received some mention on the AIGA site for their A6 awards. What pleased me was that they included me in the mention, and it totally made my day. I have to say that being a part (even if it was an incredibly small part) of their project was great.

So, I proceeded to parade around for five minutes cheering for myself, and I shall spend much longer continuously cheering for the guys over at REACTOR. Congrats to them for being so mind-blowingly awesome at making sure print is indeed not dead, and for being such awesome people to work with.