Hampton Roads Tattoo Show

had it not been for my friend, Ramel, needing some help to exhibit his art work at this year's hampton roads tattoo show, i would've never known about it and i would've never gotten to touch this yummy creature standing with me in the photo above. ami james is nom noms.

me: can i touch your head?

ami: no!

i smirk. he smiles.

ami: why?

me: because every time i see you on tv i want to touch it. it looks soooo smooth.

he bends down towards me giving me permission. my index finger approaches his shiny baldness. unexpectedly, he tries to bite my finger and i jump back. WHOA! he laughs and finally lets me touch the top of his head. i touch it nervously and the skin is soft and very smooth. my heart pounds excitedly and i'm flushed. the excitement is too much for me to handle so i bid him farewell walking away while fanning myself with my hand.

i swoon.

ladies competed in the pin-up model contest. i love the pin-up look.

how does one decide which tattoo booth to go to at these types of shows? easy... you check out their business cards and if the design is pleasing to you then you know their tattoo artistry has to be worth taking a look at. that's how i stumbled upon jesse smith. he designed two different fronts of his cards so that no matter which way they lay vertically they connect into one image. so genius of him! and his art is badass. check out his website by clicking on his name above.

ramel's artwork always has people stopping by in wonderment. click HERE to check out his facebook page of art. it's good stuff.

one day i'll get a whole back piece too. that'll be me laying on a table for next year's show.

Art, Pizza, Music 9-22-10

i like scoping out the local art shows and meeting the artists.

tiffany lin.


fernando hernandez at work customizing designs on trucker style hats.


fernando's work on canvas. it is amazing and for sale folks.


marcus johnson. portraits done in oil, graphite and prismacolor.

art | everywhere

i was really excited to hear about the art initiative event in norfolk called art | everywhere. what better way to fill up empty store front windows and bring foot traffic to the downtown area than with local art work and other fun stuff like free mini cupcakes!

just cupcakes was one of many businesses that supported the cause.


a latte cafe provided a venue for musicians to perform. these ladies did a reunion duet cover of 4 non blondes' "what's up". they totally rocked it!


right outside the cafe the ladies of 7 city crafters created this awesome exhibit. it was a cityscape of little handmade treasures.






"this next song we would like to dedicate to.... (looks out to people passing by) hot photographer chic!" haha! these guys cracked me up.



like magic.



pretty cool to see colorful work and techniques used.


there was even live art going on.



i left a bread crumb of sorts. hehehe. the sign did say "draw here."



are you thinking what i'm thinking? my collection of tabs has a new purpose...weeee! this guy also created the free photo booth stand.










i dig clotheslines.



stalactites.



this was just a glimpse of what went down opening night. if you happen to be in the downtown norfolk, va area check out granby street. the installations will be up til july 1st.

young audiences: arts for learning

my good friend diisha sent me an invite to check out "Young Audiences of Virginia Digital Photography Workshop, 2009: People, Places, and Things." it was an exhibition of photographs by fifteen talented art students from W. E. Waters Middle School where she teaches.

dii asking the students questions about their work... always the teacher.

the exhibition was at the Visual Arts Center in Olde Towne Portsmouth. i found out my favorite photography instructor from VAC, tom siegmund, assisted in the young audiences workshop.

i was very happy to know that workshops like this existed. these student got to learn how to use dslr's, studio lighting equipment and all sorts of digital darkroom goodies in photoshop. i imagined if i had been able to participate in a program like this when i was their age what would i be doing now. i really can't say what would've been but i know what i want to do. future endeavors definitely include promoting, supporting and creating events like this in my local community. stay tuned...

renewal art show 2009: highlights

the night of the show i was overwhelmed in a whirlwind of excitement. the warehouse was packed within 10 minutes after i arrived there. the turnout was awesome. i saw so many people i hadn't seen in a minute. i was all over the place! unfortunately, i didn't get to take as many pics of the show as i wanted since it got hot and stuffy quick. you can check out my fb album posting for more. here are a few to highlight the evening:

my entry: "Genesisters" Series
it was marco's first art show. he approached me and wasn't sure if he was allowed to ask me questions about my work. he explained that he didn't know "art etiquete" and didn't want to be rude. i thought that was cute.



40 local artists were showcased.

pickleman made a cameo that night too!

a hug, a kiss and a big "THANK YOU!" goes out to everyone that showed their love and support.

renewal art show 2009

i'm part of this. it's my first local juried art show. can' wait!

paper fortune teller: THE REAL INSTRUCTIONS

hopefully no one actually tried to make ramen with the fortune teller. if someone did, then i also hope that it was yummy-licious :)

if you are one of the 3 lucky finders of a GOLDEN TICKET you can e-mail me at:

writeneleh@gmail.com

high fives to lorimar for the creative input and designs!

folding party

for more info about the look alive project, click in the graphic below: