...

A couple updates...

2010-06-16T01:58:00.006-04:00

Created a FAMILY TREE illustration for a gal I know.
16 x 20 inches, on a sturdy water color paper, done with pencil, pen & acrylic paints. This was all her concept, I just took notes, and this is what was created. ;)

*She gave me the amount of people(leaves)/branches that needed to go on here,
and she will be adding the leaves soon herself. She is cutting, and labeling the said leaves with names. ;)

This was my "demo" of what her tree may look like AFTER she adds all the leaves herself. These are just some example/sample leaves that I quickly cut from some magazines. JUST to give her a better idea of the final product this way.

Created a caricature/illustration for a client for her relatives as a wedding/engagement gift. About 14 x 17 inches in size. Marker, pen, acrylic paint, and color sticks ;)

AND.. more updates to come tomorrow on additional projects that I am working on.
Cheers!!! Where does the time go, btw!? :(

Updates... JUNE!?!? WOW!!

2010-06-03T02:17:00.017-04:00

Out walking Maggie-Doggie the other day.. and low and behold.. the Beautiful Sand Hill Cranes... and do you see the little wonder that they are protecting!? SO CUTE!!!

Some NEW cuties at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland where I volunteer... we've got here a lil screechy (Screech Owl) with a permanently injured right eye. SO CUTE!!! LOOK AT HIM!!! Poor lil guy! You can't help but feel sorry for him.. but, he'll live just fine in captivity as an "Education Bird."

And then, here, a lil Red Shoulder Hawk baby! Look at him hiding under the table! :)
Both these guys are imprinted (AS WELL AS permanently injured) and cannot be released back into the wild. They will go on to be Education Birds/Ambassadors to a center. Imprinted means that they are now habituated with people, and would no longer be able to survive in the wild. This doesn't mean that they're pets in ANY way. They're still VERY wild, and need to be respected as such. Trust me, I wish to give them hugs!!! SO CUTE!

A caricature that I did for free of a neighbor's Grandson. SO CUTE.
My neighbor is awesome -- he always gives us vegetables from his AWESOME garden! SO, this was my way of saying THANKS!! :)

Drew an awesome musician friend of mine at a local market! SHE HAS THE MOST AMAZING voice!!! And soul, I tell you!!! She liked the sketch. I was pretty happy with it as well :)

Drew some awesome Friends of mine! They're so cute!!!

A typical night at TuTuTango on IDRIVE: What my set-up USUALLY looks like. I dig messy :) HA! ;) Hand-drawn greeting cards for sale -- all blank on the inside, and they come with an envelope. Also.. I create lil paintings, and try to sell those. I enjoy creating pop-looking art... love colors.. and love a happy mode :) Can you tell!?

Another pic. FORTUNATELY, some of this art has sold recently! YAY! ;)Here's to paying off some MORE debt! HEH. :)

AND, the latest commission! WhooT! :)

Working on redoing some brochures/art for the local zoo right now.
It's part of my internship with VCC.
Here's a teaser. MORE/cleaner updates on this to come soon! ;)

The back: (THIS is a TRI-FOLD design)

I STILL canNOT believe that it is JUNE! Ok.. it's like 2:30 am.
Should go to bed. More updates soon.
FiNALLY getting a lil caught up on life.. whoooOO Hoo!
Thanks for your time :)

UPDATES... wow...

2010-05-11T20:40:00.008-04:00

HELLO! It's been a while since I updated.. wow. WELL.. this is a pic of me with my latest haircut. I cut off 6+ inches myself this past Saturday, as basically, a walking billboard for this AWESOME organization: http://matteroftrust.org/
What this San Fran based company is doing is SO BEAUTIFUL!!! They collect CLEAN, human (head) hair, and also, clean pet fur, along with old panty hose/nylons (EVEN the ones with HOLES in them!)to then stuff the hair in the nylons, to then create these things called, "BOOMS", that float above the surface of the water, to then collect OIL, like that from the HUGE OIL SPILL in the GULF that recently happened!!!
HOW AWESOME AND BEAUTIFUL IS THIS in which they are doing to help!?!? I LOVE THIS! So, ladies and gentlemen, save your clean locks, and mail them off to this company!
More can be learned here from this youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwQOD_Ir2vQ
I am shaving my Border Collie Mix dog soon, and then mailing off her hair, and my hair combined. Hoping that our combined efforts may very well save a sea turtle or bird in the near future! We need all the help we can get out there in the Gulf! PLEASE consider passing this onward for the critters... thank you thank you in advance! ;)

***

Below, you'll see a front and back of a biz card I am making for a local Animal related Welfare Group that I am a part of. Feel free to check out the website. TOGETHER We can all work toward putting an END to Animal Abuse! Thanks for caring!

This is a current project I am working on for a local SPCA here in Central FL :)
This will simply be used for the web/digital formatting. They're trying to raise some funds in order to revamp their Cat Room at the shelter, in order to accommodate more cats, as well as, just make it a better environment for those looking to adopt and save their next bestfriend ;) I'm happy with how this is coming out :)

This was a commissioned caricature I had created for a friend of mine ;) Super heart how it came out :)

***

So yeah.. it's been a while!
Been busy with a caricature gig left and right, and diff animal and environmental related events and such. It's been just awesome. No complaints. Needing to get on the ball moreso with different things. Just trying to stay motivated! WhoOo Hooo
More updates to come, and thanks for your time! ;)

--Maria ;)

Updates.... it's been a while...

2009-12-22T19:16:00.003-05:00

A piece of art "owed" to an awesome German couple that gave us a lift when Andrew and I hitch-hiked in Yosemite this past August... no Americans would pick us up! We had no money... and they drove us about 12 miles to where our car was... so I said, email me, and Ill owe you some artwork...and here's what I sent out just in time for Christmas! :)

A painting I created for a silent auction in a town in GA, to raise money for an animal shelter up there.. hopefully this brought in some good money!

Commission...

Commission...

Logo I am working on for Brevard County...

More stuff to come..

2009-11-09T01:30:00.005-05:00

A busy weekend filled with animal stuff... biking.. artwork... facebook.. haha..
A commission I did...

Was Lucy at a Caric gig for Halloween.. which was awesome...

More pics and artwork to come.
Been busy on school stuff....
Night all :)
Cheers for now!
Mariaaaaaaaaa ;)

Some updates and stuff...

2009-10-30T23:03:00.003-04:00

final logo...

letterhead idea...

www.VoicesForEllaCF.org Stuff

2009-10-14T02:07:00.004-04:00

.. more to come.. JUST biz card ideas.. etc etc...

More updates to come.. soooo behind!!

2009-10-13T01:19:00.003-04:00

AWACF, their current site and logo...
http://www.awalliancecf.org/about.htm

And now, the logo I have been working on for them...

FINAL VERSION here.. and with Biz Card demos... just thoughts... More soon...

Random...

2009-09-10T00:10:00.010-04:00

A sketch of Leno I did from TIME magazine's cover, while I was waiting for my car's oil and maintenance to be done...

Still messing with my friend's logo... the one for a cleaning service... scroll down to my older post (should have a newer update UP soon...) (image soon...)

Still messing with another friend's logo/concept.. a smileyfaced spy.. more info on this to come... (image soon...)

Coming up with a mascot for another cleaning service, working with my good friend Am on this one...

And also coming up with a logo/concept for the AWACF -- the Animal Welfare Aliance of Central Florida. I'm helping them out.. love this Cause. They're working on creating a low cost/high volume spay and neuter clinic here in Central Florida. We SO need this with all the stray/feral cats everywhere.. not too mention the euthanasia rate is WAY TOO HIGH IN Central Florida. (It's TERRIBLE!!!) It's just upsetting...
(I realize these next images are all more or less the same... we've just somewhat narrowed down what it should look like.. tweaking.. playing around with faces... and bodies still.. layout.. etc etc.. )
Just giving you some insight on "my" thinking process... enjoy! :)

IN PRINT!

2009-09-10T00:01:00.001-04:00

And some other updates soon as well!
YAY to be in print again this month!
Thank YOU Orlando Magazine! (And Jason, of course! :)

Logo for a friend..

2009-08-04T21:18:00.002-04:00

Working on.. maybe almost there...
Maybe Ill make the neck a bit shorter.. add a necklace...
hmm...

Completed Orl Mag Art...

2009-08-04T18:33:00.002-04:00

Pretty happy with how this came out...

And now NEEDING to work on a logo for a friend of mine....

2009-07-25T00:33:00.007-04:00

Current projects... all concepts/commissions/fun stuff I am working on....
JUST A ROUGH thus far.. and soon to be done in acrylic and pen.. and some multi media goodness...

Probono logo for "Young NonProfit Professionals Network"... beginning stages...

OTHER works Ive done recently...(for Cafe TuTuTangos... on I-Drive in Orlando...)

Orlando Mag Upcoming Art :)

2009-07-07T23:14:00.003-04:00

WhooOoo HooOoo.
Completed! ;)

2009-06-22T17:47:00.005-04:00

Wine for Whiskers Stuff....
Final Poster:

Outside of fold-up/tri-fold invite:

Inside of fold-up/tri-fold invite:

Back of biz card:

Front of biz card:

Updates...

2009-06-15T19:46:00.003-04:00

NEWER:
Previous:

Stuff for the SPCA here in Central Florida.. still playing around with this....

Updates..

2009-05-13T15:04:00.007-04:00

Take the "29 Day Giving Challenge"... :)
www.29gifts.org
Button Design for a friend... :)

For a series of promotional stuff for the Orlando SPCA... updates to come.
This is just a rough draft/thoughts of what I had on what the theme could be...

Still playing around with this Avatar I am making for a friend of mine.. gotta fix her hair.. tweak the background... etc etc :)

More to come.. whooOooO HoOOO

The front and back of a biz card I am working on for a friend of mine.. ALMOST done..
*And I am attempting to make bread dough today... fingers crossed that I didn't kill the yeast like last time... (the water was too hot before..) HA!

ALSO: www.Pandora.com = AMAZING!!! If you've NEVER used this site.. you don't KNOW what you're missing! FREE MUSIC!!! AMAZING! I just leave it playing in the background as I get things done through out the day! WHoOOOo HooOO!

OK.. back to work! :)

Updates...

2009-05-12T22:10:00.001-04:00

More to come....

Updates.. sorta..

2009-05-04T23:54:00.005-04:00

Working on a logo right now...

WAY more to come... in need of updating my reg website as well..

Working on an Avatar for a friend...we're swapping artwork... :)
Still in the progress of... so here's starters....

WHOOooOOOT!
More to come ;)

2009-04-11T23:42:00.009-04:00

A picture of me volunteering at an Educational Event with 2 Beautiful Audubon Birds! Mr Merlin (Muffin Man), a Barred Owl.. and Newton, an American Kestral!!!
Aren't they just adorable!?!? :)
Love volunteering at Audubon on Thursdays!!! :)

And below.. you'll see some of my TuTuTangos artwork!
WHOoOOo HOoOOO!
Acrylic.. and fun!
More to come...
Enjoy ;)

Updates...

2009-04-10T16:07:00.001-04:00

Still playing around with this....

More to come ;)

Updates....

2009-04-07T22:42:00.005-04:00

Stroke Awarenes Logo updates...

ONLY allowed three types of colors..(as youll see on the far left)(purple, orange, black,-- and white is free, it's the shirt color...) and been playing around with opacities.. so, this way, making it appear as though more colors have been allowed...
thus far anyway. It's also cool to overlap a faint purple and a faint orange.. and get another tinge.. looking like a TOTALLY diff color.. yay! :)

And her is the original logo again....

AND also.. ALMOST completed a logo for a friend of mine... well.. for her Boss, that is! Ha :) He's in for a surprise....

More to come!

Updates....

2009-04-05T23:38:00.001-04:00

Still playing around with this...
perhaps going to make this guy more menacing...
more details.. leaves.. etc etc... more to come...

Wow... it's been a while...

2009-03-30T01:32:00.014-04:00

OK OK.. no excuses.. minus the fact that I've been having a HECK of a time catching up with life.. art.... friends.. work... gigs.. cleaning.. family?! Hi.. yes family!! Anyhow... more and BETTER updates to come.. but hey.. for now, enjoy some random photos/images of things that I am currently working on.. and will be continuing to work on...

From a concept/series for an organization called "Keep Seminole Beautiful" ... about invasive plants and why it is important to pull them, and NOT poison them (since we in turn end up getting ultimately effected by these said toxins...)
*Keep in mind this flyer/poster below is in NO WAY done.. much to do to it still.. make the background look more distressed.. play with the typography more.. and ultimately, the plant/image will be a vector plant/cartoon concept and I plan on having it look like it's taking OVER this entire sheet! This will help show how intense these invasives REALLY ARE in FL, and WHY we need to be rid of them ASAP withOUT chemical means!

A logo for a good friend of mine.. still in the works/tweaking it...

Her potential biz card layout...

A logo/concept for an event coming up with A Stroke Org About/For Kids....

AND...still working on a logo/concept for a Plumbing company out in Brevard County ...

And still working on a logo for a friend of mine.. Barter... I LOVE Bartering btw ;)
She's got some awesome awesome awesome work on " http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5033142I'll "
post her link soon...I'm swapping this logo/avatar I'm working on for a TOTALLY CUTE Scarf she made! YAY ;)

I'm also wrapping up some greyhound artwork -- Im mailing it off to my good friend in NH, for a silent auction that they're having up there for the Greyhound Pets of American Org she's involved with up there.. yay for rescue animals! ;)

Also.. recently went to my good friend's 3rd grade classroom.. and drew the cutey 15 kids.. and my teacher pal ;)

A recent commission...

Another one...

A Doggie Caricature event...

And anyhow.. you get the idea ;)
I'm keeping busy... and just trying to get caught up still.
OK.. off to get something done... more updates to come!
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee ;)
--Mariaaaaaaa ;)

Feb 11-25th...

2009-02-11T02:16:00.002-05:00

Limited updates on here!
Andrew and I are off to Munich, Germany and ITALIA for 2 weeks.. whoo HooOOOooOO!
Updates to come when we get back.. and pics.. of course!

Everyone take care!
And fight the good fight!!!
xo
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaa

*AND... PLEASE consider SIGNING and passing this petition onward..
UBER important stuff!!!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/max-sentence-for-dog-shooter

THANKS for your time!!
Take care!
Auf Wiedersehen!!!

Ciao Ragazzi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxo

TOTALLY RAD...

2009-02-11T02:14:00.001-05:00

Isnt this the COOOOOLEST rug!? I want one!!!
This thing was like 5 x 7... or larger... insane!!!
LOVE IT!! Its so FUN!!!!
Home Depot.
One day. :)

2009-02-11T02:07:00.004-05:00

Last... what was it... Thursday got an awesome opportunity to draw out at the Orlando History Center for their GRAND OPENING EVENT of the TOTALLLLLLLLLY awesome Jim Henson exhibit....and here's some pics from that event!
Notice this sign below?
See anyone you know on there? Eh hem. :)
They were MORE than gracious!!! Thanks, Paul and Crew!!! xo
YOU should TOTALLY go to this exhibit... it's TOTALLY awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-04T07:17:00.001-05:00

I want you to stare at the above image.
See anything.. weird... different.. in the background?

***
GIVE UP!?
Giant-Monster-Truck-Punk on the road... yeah.. welcome to Orlando!?
HA! I was scared for my life when he was directly behind me... Scary!
SO yeah.. worth posting.. because.. well... man, he could change his oil STANDING UP!!! (almost...)

a commission...

2009-02-02T20:35:00.002-05:00

Just a little sketchy.. 5x7... more to come! ;)
.. NOT a very good digital picture of it... but whatever :)

Good stuff....

2009-02-02T18:51:00.006-05:00

Gatorland with the Fam this past Saturday.. twas awesome!!!
(The cute little blonde hair boy.. he's the kid of the awesome mom taking our pic! :)

And Andrew and I did an awesome lake clean up this past Sunday!!! WHOO HOOOOO!
He and I alone collected about 30 lbs worth of trash and recyclables from the Little Econ! The rest of the gang found even more.. and some old rusted BIKES TOO!!! Its amazing what people throw away into the environment! Its just sad! :(

Hope to do the next Lake Clean-Up coming up this Sunday!
More info here at www.Eco-Action.net
Thanks to Beth and the crew.... this was her 537th LAKE/WATER CLEAN UP!!!
I KNOW!!
I love her!
I love all these guys for helping out and being so badass!!! :)
More to come ;)

some more...

2009-01-30T11:41:00.004-05:00

and more to come...
these are cards that I sell at Tangos for ONLY $5!!
I KNOW! Way to sell myself short :)
Its all practice for me anyhow :)
..................................... more to come! ;)

completed!

2009-01-30T11:34:00.001-05:00

More to come! WHOO HOooooooooooooo :)

.. yay... completed!!! More to come...

2009-01-23T21:28:00.002-05:00

2009-01-21T20:48:00.005-05:00

a surprise gift for a friend...

a completed commission for the night....

another one done earliar...

AND... still working on this:

Updates...

2009-01-14T23:29:00.002-05:00

Drew my friend's two dogs...TOTAL cuties!!!

Proposal pic for a friend... whooooooooot! :)

More to come! :)
xo
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

My original concept for the SI

2008-11-05T15:09:00.004-05:00

This is a concept drawing for the SI : Standard Issue.

This was an idea that I had, in an effort to help create less waste in landfills.
From something as easy as bringing your SI with you to lunch...

It includes recycled material turned into a:
-Carrying Case with Zipper.
-A Reusable & Recycled Metal or Plastic Mug/Cup -- 12/16 oz.
(*to get discounted/free drinks at participating restaurants...)
-Recycled plastic tooth picks (from perhaps: www.recycline.com/toothpicks.html
-An awesome reusable spork concept(which I love, and have taken camping with MANY TIMES)from: www.lightmyfireusa.com/spork.html
-AND OF COURSE, reusable cloth napkins made out of either organic cotton or hemp --more durable.

TA DAH! :)

Love this..

2008-08-17T23:15:00.000-04:00

I LOVE this ... stolen from www.HoundHaven.org

THE ANIMALS' SAVIOR
By Jim Willis

I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter, the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal. And I was angry. "God," I said, "this is terrible! Why don't You do something?" God was silent for a moment, and then He spoke softly. "I have done something," He replied. "I created you."

I want to cry now!!!
xo
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Anyone looking for a Beautiful Cat!? :)

2008-08-06T14:24:00.005-04:00

Info from my friend, JoJo:
"Jake is probably about 3 years old. Neutered male. Fully vaccinated. Probably about 13 pounds. He was abandoned in a vacant lot about almost 2 years ago. He was attacked by other cats and got a badly infected wound on one of his back legs. We thought he was going to have to have the leg amputated because we couldn't get the infection under control for a while but it finally got better. My sister adopted him, but she returned him a year later. She didn't like him anymore & would rather have a dog. =( He's been living in our spare room for about 8 months because he fights with the other cats if we let him out. But he's lonely and cries all the time up there. I feel so bad for him. He has a chronic gum condition called stomatitis. His is pretty mild, but if his gums get too irritated he'll need to get an anti-inflammatory shot at the vet. (That's not very expensive.) And if there comes a time when the shots don't help anymore then he'll have to have his teeth pulled out. For now though he's not in any pain and still eats his dry food. He must be indoor only."

If you.. or anyone you know would like to take Cutie-Pie Jake home, please contact JoJo (Johanna) at:
Faerytitania@aol.com

Thank YOU!!! And let's help try to find poor Jake a home!!!

My set up....

2008-08-01T15:40:00.002-04:00

Typically.... lately... this has been my Tangos set up...

And how much fun is this piece?! Sold it....good practice for me..
I have a fun idea for a kid's book with this type of style.. dealing with mutts and pound babies ;)

Love the animals.. more updates to come.. this is my "no drive day"..
so.. it's all about laundry and cleaning..and some art art art :)
--Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

minor updates...

2008-08-01T14:25:00.005-04:00

Updates...

2008-07-13T15:24:00.004-04:00

If you love animals.. please help out, and read on!
A few things on the horizon going on:

1st thing: If you have free July 28th, Monday, 8 am -- you should come out to the courthouse in Viera to protest some DEF animal abuse/neglect.
This deals with the dog abuse case with Ella the dog. She was left in a crate in her FL garage home for 2 months straight. No food. No water. Nothing. She died a cruel and disgusting death -- by the hands of her owner, Christine Dawn Abrams. (Google THAT winner.) Ella died with one of her front paws stretched out, trying to reach a dog food bag that was just 5 feet away from her. FIVE FEET AWAY FROM HER. What a CRUEL DEATH!!!!!! Christine moved, and lived within 6 miles of Ella's death bed. NO REMORSE. She continued to party the 2 months the dog was dead and lying there. They have proof of this from her FORMER myspace page. PLEASE read this and sign the petition!!!!!!!!!!:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/53/Justice-For-Ella

This woman shows NO REMORSE.. no responsibility for her actions.. AT ALL.

We are rallying on this day, for this criminal's pre-trial -- to make sure she DOES get prosecuted AND punished for this heinous crime. Her lawyer is trying to throw out the evidence--including the poor, dead dog - because they say it went against her 4th amendment right, since the police went into the foul-smelling home without a search warrant. Fact is, a rotting mammal, will smell the same, be it a human or a dog... so this is irrelevant.. and we all want to make sure she DOES get prosecuted for being so vile and disgusting!!!!! And INHUMANE!!
So please... come on out on July 28th!
If you'd like even more info/directions/etc email me: Paesan123@aol.com
DO IT!!! :)
_________________________________________________

2nd order of business, please read this blog:
http://petadoptionabuse.blogspot.com/

Having to do with a local asshole in Orlando and his wonderful dealings with animal abuse and neglect. Once you read how disgusting he is... PLEASE feel free to write a few nasty reviews about his business on the following links:

http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Billis.Auto.Repair.407-657-1808
http://local.yahoo.com/info-14104360-billis-auto-repair-orlando

Unfort, there is NO WAY to prosecute him at this time... this piece of shit...
So.. spread the word,... BILLIS auto is BAD NEWS!!!!!!
_________________________________________________

3rd order of business.....
TRYING to find a home for this sweet baby: (His name is BUDDY!!! :)

the story and specs here: (this is my friend's dog.)

"I need to find a home for him very soon. I am moving to Miami in a few weeks. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease pass the word on to see if any friends of yours are interested. I can bring him to you. Here are the specifications:

- male, neutered
- 1.4 years old
- microchip
- crate trained
- house trained
- up to date shots
- heartworm and flea medicated
- friendly
- listens well and follows commands
- crate, toys, bed included
- only asking $50 for rehoming

Annesa
annesai@bellsouth.net
407-760-2610 cell "

************************
Thank YOU all for your time.. and have a great rest of the weekend!!!
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa :)

working on...........

2008-07-02T23:01:00.004-04:00

Its coming along.. almost done!
WHOO HOOOOOOOOOO! :)

working on...

2008-06-24T12:22:00.002-04:00

missing Hawaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

2008-06-17T03:29:00.019-04:00

I miss Hawaii.
So many awesome places.
You'll have to scroll down a bunch if you wanna see updates with art.. sorry :)

***

I really think that you cannot take a "bad" picture on the island of Kauai.
I like the use of negative space in some of the following pictures...
not to forget the rule of thirds as well. You'll see this evident as well.
(The following photos have not been doctored in any way!)

So many beautiful things.
The natural beauty. The food. The sunsets. The BEACHES!!!
Everything. EVERYTHING.
Enjoy the photos below.
I love how memories, as well as photos, can teleport you to another
space in time. It'll summon up smells and sounds... and even more sights.
Things you may have missed out on with your camera. Things you thought
you had forgotten. :)
The human mind. So awesome. So complex.
And man oh man, ... I ever-so miss Kauai. (I'm sure the Drewman does as well :)
Too bad Andrew and I will have to celebrate anniversaries there!
(So sad indeed! :)
I actually zone out most days (especially while in heavy traffic...) and drift off to this magical, fantastic, unreal place. UNREAL.
::deep sigh::

Crappy picture of this bird... but he was amazing!!!!!! :)

I ADORE AND LOVE THIS MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BEST seared AHI Tuna I have EVER HAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEAH... WE climbed this mud wall structure... twas awesome!!!

concept for portfolio

2008-06-17T01:27:00.003-04:00

progress...

2008-06-16T20:46:00.006-04:00

and.......... something else... a wedding announcement type thing for a friend :)

happenings....

2008-06-16T15:37:00.004-04:00

so awesome...

2008-06-16T14:21:00.003-04:00

yay

2008-06-04T01:05:00.001-04:00

I love this man.............................
well.. Andrew comes first..
so so so funny!!!

blah.

2008-05-17T02:05:00.004-04:00

some of today's events...
sleeps on!
drawing dogs in the morning!!! literally! :) yay!

Dentist...

2008-05-17T01:13:00.003-04:00

So.. went to my fav place--everyone's. Their local dentist office. Mine is in DP. Good times were had.

Well, no cavities. No little trolls or goblins hiding out it caverns and such in my mouth. Good luck to them as it is. My teeth are so close together, hell, I have a hard enough time flossing as it is. I honestly do. I have the projects in my mouth. A true ghetto. A brood of teeth that are better buddies than anyone you know. More so than the Rat-Pack -- ps: bought uber cool Frank Sinatra stamps today at the post office. Seriously. Go get some.

Anywho... glad to have no cavities.

And then, you know what?
I'm a sucker for a good deal, maybe I was Seinfeld in a former life (I dated a Jewish guy, I can make these kinds of jokes. It's in the rule book. I'm serious. Go look it up. Page 343. Paragraph 5 I think it is...)

As I was saying, they were having a special on Teeth Whitening-- aka, Teeth- Bleaching. Typically runs for about 600 a pop, and I got mine done at a whopping $250. YES! I know! How could I let this get away? RIGHT!

So, being a picses (March 5th, btw), I took the bait... hook (see the picture), line a sinker. And it sucked. No dentist utensil humor here. I wish this upon no one.
It burned. Bleached my GUMS white, parts anyway, for about an hour... and man.. sensitive teeth for over a day and a half. And you know what.. not so impressed. BLAH. Maybe Ill down a few lattes and espressos next time I ever, EVER consider doing this again. Or take up smoking for a week. Make them work like a girl on OBT. (I'm kidding.)

So yeah. Hope you like the pic. Says it all.
Looks like I got puked on by cookie monster.
Enjoy.
I did.

2008-05-08T20:48:00.003-04:00

YAY!

2008-05-08T19:06:00.002-04:00

Something I love much much more now!!
YAY!

working on..

2008-05-05T22:18:00.005-04:00

so... redesigning the logo on the upper right here for a friend...
the original...

mine... well.. the few I like and share on here :)

I like the idea of bringing in the beige/yellow in the bg of where the logo is here....we'll see how she likes these...
she wanted the 2 and 4 combined like this.. and angled... and a little edgier than what there was before...

a complete and TOTAL rough..

2008-05-01T22:15:00.002-04:00

This is a rough concept....
so... here's to a good beginning and more to come!

working on...

2008-05-01T13:17:00.002-04:00

almost finalized with this one...

another assignment... :)

2008-04-30T22:42:00.000-04:00

progress :)

2008-04-30T12:40:00.001-04:00

progress....

2008-04-28T13:49:00.000-04:00

and more to come!

working on!

2008-04-27T23:10:00.001-04:00

A logo/biz card for a friend of mine...
and working on a few others as well...
more to come!

YAY FOR JACKiE!!! :)

2008-04-10T17:43:00.000-04:00

Thank YOU THANK YOU all for the awesome response!!
Miss Jackie has a GREAT new home now!!!
Should work out for her too... worsecase.. IF NOT.. Ill let you know!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU AGAIN!!!
YAY!!!
Megan and I are SO HAPPY!!
And Andrew too...
not to mention.. Andrew's dog.. Maggie... who did NOT
like another Alpha female dog in the house :)
heh!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELP!!! I need a home!!! A good home!!! :)

2008-04-08T23:59:00.006-04:00

Hey guys!!!
My good friend Megan found this poor baby near her neighborhood... wandering the streets. No one has claimed her. No tag... and no real takers!
She's been returned now, BACK to Megan a few times!!!
I took this baby... which I ended up now naming "Jackie".. cause she looks like a Jack Russel...
AND I thought maybe our dog would get along with her.. and.. no dice.
Ours is super defensive.. and unfort... doesn't like other dogs... at ALL. :(

SO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE... spread the word!!!
A great little Jack Russel mix... well behaved... about a year old we think... doesnt poop or pee inside.. and friendly.. and loving.. and sweet.. and she needs a home!! HELP ME OUT GUYS!!! THANKS!!!!!!!!
407 325 4495.

PLEASE!!! xo
Mariaaaaaaaaaaa :)

WE GOT MARRiED!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-03-06T03:18:00.012-05:00

To the greatest guy!!!

-Kauai,Hawaii!
-Feb 23rd..
-Eloped
-Just Andrew, myself... God.. and a few witnesses :)
-We were gone Feb 21-March 4th
-Went hiking, biking, trekking, camping/lodging, snorkeling, boating, horseback riding (SCARY btw!!!) ... swam with a random giant green sea turtle...saw humpback whales.. tons of tropical fish... the rare and endangered monk seal,... wild goats in the mountains.. albatross in the skies.. as well as other adorable birds...
and just had an awesome awesome awesome and amazing time.

*Did I mention we hitch-hiked up a trail with some random, nice people, got drunk with some new-found farmer friends,.. and also.. crashed/slept out on the floor of a timeshare that was owned by some nice random Canadians we met on a boat trip...
Crazy, Aye?! :)

(*We tried to be as "eco-friendly" as we could when we got there... I carried around with me my reusable, stainless steel mug.. for all coffee ventures.. and we refused plastic and styrofoam when we could...and opted for NO plastic bags.. and made sure we reused our hotel towels more than once... left lights off... used minimal air.. etc etc etc...)

just a few pics... more to come....

what an amazing.. amazing time we had.

AND now... to look into buying some carbon credits...
.. long.. long flight... tons of CO2 released... eek!

*And yeah.. my rents did NOT kill me... alls good! ;)
WHOOT!
Night!

Maria Bolton-Joubert :)
Oh yes.. hyphenated, baby! :)

Completed! :)

2008-02-12T01:12:00.000-05:00

Mission accomplished!
An awesome commission... and a fun, new image to place up on my website..
Now to do more illustration stuff like this..

Used: Originally: drew the image with a dry sharpie, and colored-in with color sticks.
THAN... cut out drawing, mounted on 11 by 14 inch poster board with rubber cement..
THAN added acrylic paint, ball point pen, and some prisma color markers to this piece.

fun fun!

night for now!
Maria :)

FINALLY!

2008-02-10T16:04:00.000-05:00

FINALLY updated my website!!!
http://www.mariabolton.com/

yeah!
More updates to come!
NOW to run around outside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

***ALSO.. here's a photo of a commissioned painting I did a little while back for this awesome chick named Jennifer-- a picture of their dog, as a gift for her significant other!!! AWWW :)
I was lame.. and never took a picture of it, and she was kind enough to send one over to me! :)

Thanks again, Jenn! You're awesome!!!

Finder's Keepers!!! ;)

2008-02-08T13:14:00.001-05:00

Isn't this illustration just awesome?!

I salvaged these from my neighbor's trash earlier today (Told you all I'm a hippie)... and I have a BUNCH of stuff to drop off at the Salvation Army now, as well!!!
I don't understand how people can throw away such beautiful, functional things?!
Best to donate... someone will make use of it! Trust me! This dealio with the rooster.. it's an old plate warmer.. no longer will work (missing electrical components) however... it's awesome! And I plan to hang it up in the kitchen! SO retro! It just screams the 70s!!! I love it!!! :)

Had to show you this... kinda creepy.

And this was just funny to me. Poor lady. I don't even know if she finished high school. Atleast she probably kept the house clean! Teasing.. teasing... I occasionally bake and cook as well :)

HOW AWESOME IS THIS PICTURE!?!??!?!

AND.. don't you just LOVE these drawings?!?!? MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK.. a gig later today.. and more brain storming.. and working etc etc...
Will be revamping my site soon.. totally looking forward!

Yay!
Im out!
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

thought this was funny

2008-02-08T12:12:00.000-05:00

I was just joking the other day about this with a friend of mine...
...as to how these security measures that different sites are taking now adays..
well.. they're getting hard to read!

To me.. this almost looks like Elvish! Where's Froto to translate...
...though.. I did get it right...
phew!

SELLING MY LIFE AWAY!!! ;O) In a good way . . .

2008-02-07T15:42:00.000-05:00

So hey, kids!!!

I am basically trying to sell everything I own!!!
WHY!? Because I am ONLY 25 years old.. and somehow was able to accumulate so MUCH STUFF so far in my short little life!!! And it's stuff I am not using.. so... why not turn around, and get rid of it... and try to make a wee profit!? Bout time.. I don't KNOW what I've been waiting for!!! I've already dropped off bags and bags and bags to the Salvation Army... and they'll be getting even more soon...

MY stuff on EBAY that I am trying to get rid of:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZpaesan123

So, selling a few pieces of art on etsy.com -- with more to be posted up SOON...

www.HurricaneMaria.etsy.com

and also... on amazon.......... (no real link to provide you.. sorry!)

So.. feel free to browse.. and if you wanna help me out... bid and buy!!!

I'm getting closer and closer to becoming an ideal minimalist!
WHOOOT!

Hope all are well.. no complaints here... drawing caricatures at a local church for the next few days.. and will split my earnings with them. :)

TOTALLY looking forward to this! It'll be a blast!

Have a good one!
Maria :)

fun times...

2008-02-06T11:56:00.001-05:00

So... theyre working on my Yaris again.... maybe Ill get it back tomorrow.. but.. in the meanwhile... I LOVE my Prius Rentals. That's right.
This is the second time I've rented one now.. I must say.. Candy Red is fun. And getting 50 PLUS miles to EACH gallon... is even "FUNNER"!!!! :O) ::YAY::

This is me showing off the Hybrid at a random "car show" at a nearby Sonics. I had to.
Yeah.. so what if everyone else had a "muscle" car Camaro or Corvette. I win! ;o)

An outing and a gig.........

2008-02-04T22:48:00.000-05:00

Gorgeous Swan.. taken whilst walking round Lake Eola last week........

Love them.

Thought this was funny. Even MORE bird poop on the back end of this over priced car!!!.......... Birds don't discriminate.. love it :)

This was the CUTEST, best-behaved little boy I have EVER drawn. He was amazing!!!
GAH!!! Forgive the blue-ish tint on my camera... anyways...
Was a GREAT gig this weekend......... tons of awesome, little smiling faces! :)

Caught these beautiful birdies on the camera. Don't they look so peaceful!?

Totally awesome... father and son outing.... ;O) ::awwww::

Caught this amazing hawk in my sights... least.. I think it's either a red-tail hawk... or Osprey... gotta google search this guy... Beautiful though, regardless.

Wish I were canoeing.......... kayaking.................. soon.

Ok.. out for now!
--Maria :)

*all and all.. great weekend.. saw some old friends.. drew a bunch of awesome faces. :O)

YAY!!!

.. just an idea.....................

2008-02-02T00:01:00.001-05:00

sleeping soon!
yeah!

and a gig tomorrow! whoooo HOOooo :O)

working on...........

2008-02-01T21:20:00.000-05:00

this is just a rough...
final round will be in illustrator............
to aide in the punchy-poppy-ness.
yay!

--Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

............................. stuff...................

2008-01-31T17:10:00.000-05:00

playing around with this....
logo/concepts for an upcoming Health related event in Brevard.. again.. these are total roughs!
And my friend's cat! :)
yeah!
more to come.. and some updates with el paintings.... yayayayya ;O)

--Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

updates.

2008-01-30T22:26:00.001-05:00

My friend's baby! ;o)

working on...................

2008-01-29T18:36:00.000-05:00

the beginning of the fishy........
meh.. like half done with the fish now.. and these OTHER projs/paintings looking forward to wrapping up tonight!
and a closer look ;O) happy with it thus far... fun texture.. color... it's energetic... i diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig. ;O) And hope Andrew's daddio will as well! ;O)
Getting there.. a few more touches.. and then to spray...
Ok.. so other than selling most everything in my room on ebay, amazon.. and soon.. etsy.com with all my art goodness... (and having already made some $500 from this all! YES!!!--THOUGH... much of this was Andrew's old video games... but some was mine!!! I love you, DREW! ;O)

....and other than SOON revamping my website.. and targeting that "key" audience of mine oh so soon... (the enviro-crowd)
here I am tonight staying in for once.. yes yes.. I know..
and working on wrapping up some projects.

Mostly paintings and the like.. but I also have some digital ideas in mind....

Q for you all:
Why.. why why why.. are we all so critical of our own work?
Why is it we hinder our own progress at times!?

It's such an internal struggle.
It really is.

IN OTHER NEWS.............
Megan and I FINALLY got to hang out today!
SO LONG OVERDUE! AhHH!
Twas awesome!
After hitting up the Omart.org... the Orlando Museum of Art... and getting inspired and charged up with such beautiful imagery and delight...

we than went to Pei Wei... which I LOVE.. obsess over, perhaps!? On Colonial... ordered Pad Thai... amazing.. I ate so much.. they give you so much!! GAH!

and then off to a craft store to peruse..and get inspired again...
and than Sam Flax.... :O) (another awesome art store...)
(I didnt BUY ANYTHING! I KNOW!! Discipline!! oooooo! ;O)

AND THEN... UBERBOT to get oh so inspired again...

gah.
GREAT DAY!
Fired up!

yay... ok.. back to some art....
than some coffee... and than.. a brisk walk round my neighborhood!

HOLLA!
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
also.. slight update... heh...

also.. an update with POSH POOCH!

http://www.celebration.fl.us/towncenterevents.html

yay! My work! ;O)

also.

2008-01-29T01:11:00.001-05:00

Been eating way healthier lately.
Its awesome.
No fried anything.
No fastfood.
No soda... very little sweet teas...
and now to kick coffee off a bit more.

night!
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Had to.

2008-01-29T00:13:00.001-05:00

I had to post this.
I was getting ready to check my email the other day...
and tell me if you can see why I thought this was too funny NOT to take a screen shot of my desktop!!!!!!

WOW.
Those crazy web-guys!

Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

for a friend..............

2008-01-29T00:08:00.000-05:00

just playing around.
i play rough.
meaning = i sketch rough.. aka... have a hard time doing anything.. ANYTHING clean.. unless I have vector art saving the day for me. why?
i dunno. it's all the pent up energy i have.. getting out in the form of organic shapes.. and unconformity.. and mess! :)

so this is fun and messy.
yay.
night!
more to come...

looking forward to updating my site.. and revamping.. yayayayay

Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

cute couple commissions...

2008-01-27T23:37:00.000-05:00

... in other news...
going to be re-doing my site soon.
it needs to reflect "me" more...
it'll be updated with more art as well... which is in the works.
and.. it'll be cleaner in a way.. and yet more "explanationable"...

oh yes.. new word. ;O)

anyhow.. trying to GREEN myself as much as possible...
with my art.
my mind set.
my way of living this life.

ok.. off to get some more work done....

night!
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Done!

2008-01-25T12:11:00.000-05:00

Done,.. yay! Uber happy with how it came out..........
Now to redo my site sometime soon soon soon...
and then feel all squishy and good about everything!

Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

tired...

2008-01-24T02:04:00.000-05:00

must sleep..
getting there ;o)
NIGHT!

Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

2008-01-16T17:12:00.000-05:00

What Europeans first say upon getting here.

Obsessed with selling.............

2008-01-15T13:41:00.001-05:00

SO,.. Andrew and I are recently OBSESSED now with selling everything on ebay and amazon.com..... whatever we can find in our rooms/houses... it's been awesome. We're working on becoming better minimalists... and smaller consumers as well.. basically.. don't count on me to boost this economy...(NOTE: My awesome doggie, Chloe.... she's NOT for sale ;o)

About $400 something earned a piece at this point....
and the auctions and biddings are still going....

And soon Ill be attacking more of the items... things under my bed...
And soon... my spider man comics will be up for grabs online ;O)

More updates and art to come...
also have been updating my friend's site a bit more as well:

www.DianeDavenportPhotography.com

.............

2008-01-14T12:26:00.000-05:00

Not done... but what I am working on.....................

My Battle with Chick-Fil-A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-01-11T23:58:00.002-05:00

It has just started...
here's the latest..
other than the petition I just started today..and hope to get thrown around..:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/no-more-styrofoam-chickfila

AND... heres the convo's back and forth so far..

This was my weak/silly-written comment to CFA earlier today via their website:
-----Original Message-----

From: paesan123@aol.com

Sent: 1/11/2008 02:48:16 PM

To: Chick-fil-A.Cares@na.ko.com

Subject: Chick-fil-A Web Form Message

What the hell is up with continuing to use styrofoam cups? You should give

people a minimum of atleast 10-20 cents off a beverage order for those that are

earth-concious enough, and want to make a positive difference and start creating

less trash. Lets face it... fast food = fast trash... and TONS of it....

wouldnt it be awesome of you all to start creating a more positive change... and

an idea that hasn't caught on yet with too many large companies. COME ON. Do it

for the cows. Make you mooooooooooooooooooove now.

***

And here is a response I've gotten back so far:

Dear Miss Bolton:

Thank you for taking the time to contact Chick-fil-A. You are very important to

us, and we appreciate your comments and questions.

We want you to have a great dining experience each time you visit our

Chick-fil-A stores. The type and amount of packaging we use is intended to

ensure that our customers are able to maximize their enjoyment of our food and

beverages while at the same time meeting our strict sanitation and temperature

requirements.

We share your concerns regarding the environment. Although customer feedback

reveals that the majority of our customers favor the type and style of packaging

that we use, we are constantly looking for more economically and more

ecologically sound alternatives. Our polystyrene containers (drink cups) have

never been produced using chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and are, therefore, ozone

safe. Foam products are more easily recycled than plastic, coated, or treated

paper products.

Unfortunately, there is a misconception that paper food service containers are

easily recyclable. In order to be used as food containers, paper must be

treated or coated in some way. For instance, most cups are either coated with

wax or a polyethylene film. Even though it is possible to recycle paper if the

coating or film is removed, it is, for all practical purposes, unrealistic to do

that.

Biodegradability is another issue of concern. Contrary to popular belief,

landfills are not giant compost heaps, where contents rapidly degrade. Research

has shown that paper buried in landfills does not biodegrade very quickly.

Therefore, there is no advantage in using paper over foam if the issue is

biodegradability.

We do appreciate your business and want to please you as well as all our other

customers. To the best of our ability, we make our decision on that basis;

however, it is sometimes difficult to please everyone with everything we do.

Again, thank you for your time and interest in Chick-fil-A. We look forward to

serving you in one of your local Chick-fil-A Restaurants soon.

Sincerely,

Tamara

Chick-fil-A CARES

Chick-fil-A...We Didn't Invent The Chicken,

Just The Chicken Sandwich.

On the Web at www.chick-fil-a.com

***

And here is my latest EMAIL to Miss Tamara with CFA:

Hey there, Tamara. Good evening to you.
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, here.

So, question for you, as you state below:

"Foam products are more easily recycled than plastic, coated, or treated

paper products."

Are you actually recycling these foam cups/containers than you speak of?

Where can I find proof of this?

Doesn't seem like I can find any of this info on your website.

Why is that?

Shouldn't you want to drown out/shut up the "conspirators" like myself who feel like you're in a sense, not doing enough?

Or at least, could be doing more?

Why don't you all have sorting bins at each of your restaurants?

Wouldn't this just aide in the recycling process--wouldn't this just save some steps, including time, and everyone's money?

Not too mention, the environment?

And, also, prevent a lot of these used materials from even touching a landfill or two?

Also, are you all aware of Biodegradable corn-based plastics?

What is your take on this?

They're the latest "trend" that seems to be catching on.

Here are some links that I feel your team should consider reading up on:

(And actually... if you plug "Biodegradable Corn-Based plastics" into any search engine... you'll find wayyyyyyy more links and info and insight

than I could even have the time to send you.)

This article came out in 2003:.. (I think we're in 2008 now.)

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0904/p12s02-sten.html

This article reads how Europe is making a commitment to these "new" measures of biodegradable-tech:

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2005/2005-02-16-04.asp

Here' s just ONE company you all could invest in.. or atleast LOOK into doing business with.

http://www.ecoproducts.com/Business/food_services/cups/fs_cups_compostable_cold_cups.htm

DEFINITELY curious on your take and rebuttal on why Chick-Fil-A hasn't made the switch.. or any real changes in their policies yet.

I am a consumer.

And I am not alone with my feelings on this.

By the way, I am very aware as to how specific landfills do not "breath" in the sense of how a TRUE compost does, which is why, even

certain types of organic matter, like even Banana peels may take up to even 40 years to break-down, not too mention exude toxic gases such as methane

when they finally do start to break down/decompose.

So, please spare me as to why you use foam vs paper at this point.

AND, AS FAR AS a business aspect of this is concerned,

wouldn't you want to appeal to the masses right now,

with our current and VERY REAL global situation at hand, as looking like a GREEN COMPANY?

As looking like a green company, that actually cares about making a difference?

As looking like a Large, American corporation that is infact looking out for the greater good?

AND NOT JUST for how much money they can cram into their pocket, and what else they can throw

over their shoulder and discard as trash, and someone else's, or GOD FORBID, some other nation's problem?

This is OUR problem.

You have a chance to do so MUCH, Tamara.

Take full credit for this, I don't care.

Please as a MORAL issue, please do something more.

Start a chain reaction here.

Do you plan on having kids one day?

Leaving future generations anything?

Thanks for your time, and again, looking forward to hearing back from you,

Maria Bolton

*****************

And we'll wait and see how this fire goes.............
yay for potential change.

I am boycotting the chain starting TODAY.
HOLLA.
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

working...............

2008-01-10T12:56:00.000-05:00

on a couple things. kind of a low key day. My doggie is sick ;O(

anyhow.. working on a potential logo/some art for an upcoming event.........Posh Poooooooooooooooooooch for the town of Celebration!( the above sketch is just a rough............) ;O) Unfort--Ill be outta down when this event is happening... but perhaps my work will end up on T-shirts and things and do-dads for dogs.....

and also working on wrapping up a website for a friends of mine:
www.DianeDavenportphotography.com

More to come!
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Right quick............

2008-01-04T09:17:00.000-05:00

A couple pics from a previous gig at an awesome shoe store for kids:
http://www.trypls.com/

More projects coming up.. getting back on the ball again!
YAY!
And still driving the rental... what a great car.
I love the Prius!
And am looking forward to getting back into my little Yaris Hatch.......

Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

MY Prius Rental....................

2007-12-28T01:23:00.000-05:00

I am renting a 2008 Prius... and
holyhell people.

It is flippin' amazing.
AMAZING gas mileage....
I feel like a damn Jetson...

I have a key that looks like a small Nintendo video game cartridge.
I push it into it's allotted space...
press the circular POWER button...

Move a nob down or up... and it pops back into place where it was..
but lets you know if you're in Drive or Reverse...

and it is just amazing.
And awesome.
And a hybrid.

I mean.. if you GOTTA drive a car...
this is it, people.

So.. for the next 8 days... Ill be big pimping it...
Greeny-style.

ALSO:
I was working at tu tu tangos tonight... painting and working......

sold some paintings... (new ones and OLD ones--thank GOD to that..
hate having things linger a while in my room...)

I decided to put a pile of old drawings and doodles..
and things I DONT WANT (trying to become a minimalist...)
together... with a sign that said FREEEEEEEEEEE..
and they went away like hotcakes... pancakes.. lol

people liked/lik my art... things I was gonna throw away/recycle anyhow..
and it was still a good opportunity to network and throw some business
cards out there.. and some people still threw me some dollars as well..

so.. twas an awesome night.. no complaints!
wheeeeeeeeeeeeee
**and... my room is so so much cleaner.. getting there....
soon.. I want just a bed.. my laptop.. and some art supplies.......
wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ok.. exhausted!
BIG day tomorrow.. gig in St Augustine........

night!
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa againnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

Yeah.

2007-12-25T04:14:00.001-05:00

I want to do more in 2008.
Enough talking, more actions.

I need to upgrade myself more.
Would wish to join more positive orgs............
Maybe one day work for Greenpeace or .............
Defenders.org

etc etc.

Or some awesome enviro company...... something relating to the outdoors.

And ultimately..
Ill become a park ranger as well.

Later down the line.

Save the polar bears... bring your own mug to starbucks........
anywhere!

Im out! ;O)

OH... AND.. exciting news.............
I plan on renting a hybrid (PRIUS) on wed.......... cause my little Yaris will be in the shop by then. Ill be having to pay the difference of what is covered by my insurance company of... just $5 a day.. which if I have the car 2 weeks? Will be just about $80 with taxes and everything that I'll be paying out of my OWN pocket.. BUT BUT BUT................ it will be so so so well worth it....
because... hi.
It's a Prius :)

46 mpg
Combined city and highway driving.

I has an insanely low carbon footprint...
and also....
and low ass air pollution score as well.

No other car I'd want to drive. :)

Check your vehicle stats here:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

::deep happy sigh::
Im out.
HOLLA!
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Yeah. Ill get a new one too I guess :O(
I dont know. I should just reuse this one somehow......
geh.

Notice......... not much to him.. oh glorious, silly, chrome bumper that it dons.

Was rerailed...

2007-12-22T12:39:00.000-05:00

Getting back on course.
Just got some mini commissions done.
I have a gig tonight.. having to borrow my little bro's car.
Sucks.

Anyways....
more updates to come.
Come WED at the latest Ill have a rental.. and itll be on "his" tab.. he who will remain unnamed--seeing that he may have been clever enough to google search me as well......seeing that THAT is how I am able to write a bio on the perpetrator at this point.

Gah. Still so mad and bummed.. and just seeking justice at this point.
He never "bothered" to call it in from his point/perspective to his insurance agent/company. Can we say, "shady"? Yes we can. I just did.
He had 2.5 days to do so. He caused the accident.

His truck weighs 4,300 and something lbs.. vs mine = 2300 or so.
He has a 261 horsepower, quad cab... vehicle with a chrome-ass bumper.
Mine?
I was braked and stationary..... and I only have 103 horsepower btw....
and yeah... hi!? I am plastic... hopefully recycled plastic.. LOL.. and he is a #$#%#@&**(*^(*^(.

Yeah. He moved my vehicle. Physically moved me... several feet.. at an angle. Into potential oncoming traffic. I was left partway in a lane.. on the road I was awaiting to merge into.. not be PUSHED INTO by someone living through a midlife crisis... he'll be turning 50 years old 3/2. Yes. Uh huh.

Theres a claim out.. it's all been filed. His agent was just waiting to hear from him.. so that they could get things going directly. (VS. my insurance getting involved.. and then having to go after his insurance after mine covers the bills.)

I am giving him the weekend to be smart.. and make the call.
BUT, come Monday, 11 am... Ill be giving both sides a call.

And my USAA will have to otherwise get this giant ball rolling...

He has already inconvenienced me... and I grow angrier at this incident by the hour.
Well... not really.

I am a genuinely positive and happy person.. but when I do reflect on the incident at hand... it's like a switch goes off...

And all the hot headed Italian in me boils... like a spicy sauce straight from Naples.. or make it Sicily.

Afterall.. I was waiting and saving my money to get a new car for the past 4 years...
and now.. my little 2008 Yaris.. brand spanking new.. bought it with just 6 miles.. was treating it like gold...................... is now undriveable!?
This is 2007. And I was driving an 08.

Who the hell gave him the right?

Whatever... I know.. bad things happen to decently good people. :)
And I am alive... and fine.. and that is the most important thing! I know it :) I do.

GAH.
Im out!
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Good times.

2007-12-20T03:01:00.000-05:00

Glorious days.
I got rear/side ended tonight by a negligent driver of a giant 2005 Nissan Frontier Truck. The only frontier he found, was my little car.

It is going to be some fun trying to make sure I get a brand new car out of this.

He hit me, while we were in a lane, where we could potentially get ready to leave from.. and merge into traffic.

He hit me at what felt like 15 mph? It was a HARD HIT. Could have been faster!?

I was braked at the time... he hit me, heard a large BOOM (thought it was the end of the world!?), and he moved my vehicle 5 ft or so?! Yeah, twas awesome. I ended up in the road.. and fortunately.. no one was coming, so that I didnt get side swiped?!?!? God was totally with me!!!

FHP came, filled a report. He got 4 pts on his license, careless driving.

And me?
I have a car that runs... but shimmies to the right--cause thats normal.(since the wheel base, alignment.. axle everything is screwed up. A slightly dented frame, left fender.. and a Hatch that no longer works.. a bumper that has been pressed in. and mashed....

Its basically awesome.
I was a COMPLETE train wreck earlier. Its funny.. the circumstances.

Giant truck.. little Yaris.

Unreal.

And yeah... taking pics tomorrow morning.. and getting ready to take on State Farm head on.. to ensure I get all that I deserve coming to me.

And be it, a new car... since now it is salvage --I mean, honestly.. the wheels are completely misaligned? I am NOT entitled to that. I was planning on keeping this car 10 years--like I did with my previous car. WTF!? Im not looking to sell this car at all.. I am looking to get what I originally payed for BACK.

Blah.
Big cars = big problems.
Come on AMERICA.. realize that the universe shouldnt revolve around you. And your big car fetish.

Im out.
P-oed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and you better believe that this will be resolved in MY COMPLETE and TOTAL favor.. or mark my words, you will see me on the news with this story. Unfort, I say this, because of so much negative info I have found on the web tonight with Statefarm,.. and how they cut corners with repairs.. and how you really have to FIGHT to get what you truly deserve.

INSANE!!!

2007-12-19T10:50:00.000-05:00

Insanely gorgeous moth I found on my patio.....................
It was actually hissing and making all these crazy quiet sounds at me... when I touched its wing... crazy right!??!? It is about 3/4 inches in length. Insane. Look at the colors!? And the white little spots on it's side?!?! Looks like someone painted him!!!

Schoolio Goodness....

2007-12-11T16:14:00.000-05:00

BEFORE EDITING:

AFTER EDITING:

BEFORE EDITING:

AFTER EDITING:

Yeah!
Did these for my Publication Design Class...
Basically... just had to make up a cover for Wired.. featuring the header article on the late Evel...
and also.. just come up with a layout for a spread on said article.

MUCH happier with the edited versions--esp the spread.
Much bolder.. and goes along more with the cover now.

YAY!

Now some art...

2007-12-09T10:21:00.000-05:00

Some quickie freelance email/jpeg commissions...

ALSO.. working on an awesome little project for a Design Firm here in town.. pics and info on that soon.

Other than that... wrapping up my semester with school... my WHOLE one class.. lol... 2 classes left for my degree in Graphics --portfolio review.. and an internship.

Ill be taking OFF of school next semester to focus more so on myself.. working on cleaning up and building my digital portfolio THAT MUCH more.. and also.. focusing on marketing myself more.. and making more money.. networking more like a BEAST I tell you... and also.. to focus on more charity work....

and FINALLY take a trip to Naples,Italy (most likely) to visit my family, and awesome Grandma (Nonna) there... that I haven't seen in almost 7 years now!!! TOO MUCH TIME HAS PASSED!!!

What else.. yeah.. I still CANNOT believe how quickly this year has gone by.
Insane.

Working on seizing the days more.... what can I say.

Thanks for your time, and have a great day!!!!!!
Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ;O)

--The Hurricane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FUNNY.

2007-12-09T08:50:00.000-05:00

Basically, I put in a complaint with Office Max a few weeks ago, and they finally got back to me. :)

The story--I was looking to get recycled (atleast 30% recycled.) 11 x 17 inch paper,(to use for ALLLLLL my caricature gigs) and Staples didn't carry it. Went into Office Max, and was blatantly lied to by a MANAGER there. He told me how it wastes more EVERYTHING to recycle paper, vs cutting down virgin trees. (He didn't know who he was talking to.)

What a load of horse shit.

I bought a ream of their bullshit 11 x 17--and proceeded to go home and do my research. I read SO MUCH MORE that night about recycled paper................ needless to say, I got more and more pissed the more websites and urls and everything that I went to! I ended up finding out that OFFICE DEPOT is the one that I remember that carries recycled paper... found more about that on their site, and here's the link for the paper I bought: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/921408/a/D=2%20recycled%20paper&No=20&Dx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nty=1&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial|mode%20matchallpartial&Ntt=recycled%20paper|11%20x%2017%20recycled&N=100000&uniqueSearchFlag=true&y=0&x=0&Nr=100000&Ntk=all|all&An=text/

The very next day, I went back to OFFICE MAX, steamed...... and returned the paper,.. and complained to an employee there about their manager.

Didn't stop there.. popped online.. and decided to put in a complaint with Corp--about the manager, his lies to me, and also.. how they're not even staying in "the game" at this point with their competition.

Kinda like how Chamberlins doesn't offer reusable totes/bags--to stay with their competition--Wholefoods.. and even Publix at this point! (more on this soon by the way.)

Anyway, a woman from OFFICE MAX finally got back to me with this email.
Dear Maria,

We apologize for the inconvenience. Your message has been forwarded to the appropriate department for review so that this can be addressed.

OfficeMax thanks you for the opportunity of servicing your future business and personal supply needs. If we can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for choosing OfficeMax!

Sincerely,

Joanne Renaud

OfficeMax

Customer Service - Email Support - Mentor, OH

And sure, this is somewhat a total copy and paste response back--but Im glad someone got back to me.. and as I said in my statement to them... they've lost my business regardless.

AND ALSO, all of you artists out there that are reading this.. PLEASE consider using OFFICE DEPOT for your 11 x 17 inch recycled paper needs!! GREAT FOR GIGS!!!!!!!

Thank you for your time!
Me :O)
The Hurricane!

OK.. back to some freelance I'm working on right now.. more to come.. and sure.. some art to post soon too! Yeah! ;O)

PLEASE READ!!!!!!!!!

2007-12-07T09:53:00.000-05:00

Ok, real quick.

You all know how I am some "weird", hippie... tree-hugging fool! That's right!!!

WELL, alright--popped into Chamberlins yesterday, in the Winter Park Village.
(http://www.chamberlins.com/Locations/locations.html)
Which, by the way, is a store that carries natural/organic/enviro-typically-friendly food and vitamins... and is in "yuppyville" USA--well...

When I was checking out with my 2 tiny little items....

The woman proceeded to assume, and place my stuff in a plastic bag.
I obviously cringed, and spoke up stating--"Oh no..that's ok.... I don't need a bag..."

She proceeded to give me a "weird face"... like most people who aren't enviro-friendly.. or don't realize that plastic bags are a WASTE.. esp little things.. that God forbid... you can carry by hand/arm...

And I asked her.. (I have my own canvas bags btw... but still)... I asked her.."HEY.. do you all sell any canvas/reusable bags here?"

And she said... "No."

And I just thought to myself... wow... if your "competitor" wholefoods.... as well as any other grocery store right now, it seems,.. atleast make an attempt and sell the reusable bags...wouldn't it just make good business sense to offer the same?

Any who... I left a msg just now with a guy named Joe up in CORPORATE. who hopefully will (better) get back to me today about my few inquiries for him..... as far as the reasoning behind WHY they aren't already making further steps..... esp since I bought a bar of friggin 70% dark chocolate(high in antioxidants) that gave 10% of the profits to endangered species...... I mean... hi! You have chocolate that "helps" the environment... your whole STORE is full of things to better yourself, mind, .. body....earth? ... yet.. plastic bags?
Hi?

So.. anywho....................

Hopefully I will talk a little more sense into him and their game plan.... and hopefully we can work something out... and start offering some more positive change....

Worse case... I am thinking I'll be getting a petition in place...so please.. let me be able to count on YOU ALL.. and anyone you know... to jump on this bandwagon.. and make Chamberlins realize that they too need to take a BIGGER stand on informing the public and to help make more of a difference.... so that soon.. plastic bags will become OBSOLETE in this country....

MUCH LIKE they have become banned in the UK:(most all parts)... ask my great friend Kelly!!! (on the top of my friend's links!!)
A great read: (PLEASE READ!!!!!!!)

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0721-04.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/may/12/uknews.waste
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6605435.stm

It only makes sense.
And please let me be able to count on you.
Thanks for your time, and Ill keep you posted on this matter.

In the meanwhile...... do you use reusable containers when at any store?
Try it. :O)
I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--Maria :)
And by the way... my little Yaris does get it's advertised 34/39 miles to the gallon. YEAH. Amazing... next time.. a hybrid. And soon after that... teleportation.... it's true ;O)

Greenest Pres!?

2007-12-03T16:23:00.000-05:00

Man...
an awesome read:

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2007/11/who-is-the-gree.html

check it out... just a tid bit of info on what the candidates would like to do
if elected as president...

crazy.
OK.. back to homework....

Some pics of hiking in N. GA a few weeks ago..

2007-11-29T20:33:00.000-05:00

My obsession is hiking and mountains. And, you can't get that in FL. Sorry. I know.
So, at some point.. in a few years, after Andrew and I are wed....
we'll be moving.. to Colorado no doubt. Ft Collins sounds and reads as amazing.
I've only been to the SW end --Durango. Awesome town as well.

BUT.. in the meanwhile... we get away when we can.
N. GA is awesome.

So.. we checked out where the base of the Appalachian Trail starts.
AND... we're plotting when exactly we'll do the whole, more than 2,000 mile trail.
At some point. NOT TOO far away. :)

So.. here's some pics of our travel....

Holla.

I FINALLY did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;O)

2007-11-20T00:04:00.001-05:00

You can look up your vehicle as well, over at:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

Automatic, Power package... (though didn't want it.....) V4..
got a GREAT deal on it though!!! ;O)

So yeah..... now... just gotta sell the old one for a few hundred...
Any takers on a beat up old 97 , V6,....white LX Ford Mustang!?!? Hey.. it's still good for parts!!!!! Come on...................

So with my new 2008 Yaris...
Better gas mileage.. here I come!
Better smog and greenhouse gas ratings!
Better everything!!!

Im Japanese now... babY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I will name my car something in relation to sushi...
mmm... which would be so so good right about now...

YAY!!!
NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

whoo Hooooooooooo

.. getting some stuff done...

2007-11-19T12:24:00.000-05:00

In the process of looking to invest in more renewable art supplies.. less toxic... more recycled paper.. etc etc.. so much to think about.. it's all good though.

in the meanwhile..... a doggie sketch.

did an event on Saturday down in Melbourne to benefit the SPCA down there.. and I drew so many happy doggies!!! I had a BLAST! Looking foward to the next event down there......

more to come.. Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa