Street Coffee Show

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What an awesome evening! I am so overwhelmed by the lovely attendants and support. 

How did it start????

I was approached by Laura Dragon from {9} The Gallery who is doing some curating for Street Coffee. She needed some work in about "two weeks".. I was excited, but also didn't have enouph art for such a short timeframe.  This quickly turned into a group show with Kyllan Maney and Kammie K. With only two week notice, and working full time I said "what the heck, yes"! We were on our way!!

Welp, there is nothing like having an overwhelming task with a short deadline to let procrastination to kick right in. I do like to call this "planning to plan", or "prepping to prep". For me this involves thinking a lot while doing the dishes, laundry, with some light cleaning. Along with thumbing through magazines and even picking up a book. A good friend told me once, "procrastination is like the ultimate fight against the authority figure of Father time". I agree, and the hardest part is just showing up and forcing the task in conversation.

 I decided to move forward with creating more bees. They have been an inspiration for me recently and represent where I am within the community. A single bee searching, looking, and trying to figure out how to "Bee".  "Bee Love" was the first Bee that came to light while my inner rebel was fighting against father time. I think this is a common thread for many people, and for me I'm always trying to be careful with my heart and share love at the same time. "Bee Interesting" was the second bee that came forth with antenna swirling to look out at the world. I myself love big glasses, and anyone who knows me knows I have a collection of glasses because I don't like wearing contacts.  "Bee Itch" was the last bee to come forth at the last hours left. Really, I couldn't think of a name and I was struggling with getting the last one finished for the show with such short notice (all while working my 40+ hour job). 

 I was totally excited, and it just so happened it was also the birthday of Kyllan Maney who is always out there lifting up others. the night opening, my friend Parisa was randomly in from L.A.. my Dad was randomly in town, and some really lovely friends came out to support the Arts at just a simple coffee shop show. What a cool night in the middle of the week!

So thankful for all the love and support from my friends, it really means a lot!

Kyllan Maney - NEDCO Ripple Grant in Tempe Arizona

Who Says You Can’t Get Paid to Make Art?!

Whoever said that was definitely wrong.

Meet Kyllan Maney — a true artist to watch. From murals and paintings to teaching and wearable art, her creativity knows no limits. Kyllan is constantly exploring new ways to uplift others and bring more color and connection to the Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa communities.

Recently, she participated in the NEDCO Ripple Grant, a program that funds local artists to collaborate with small businesses in downtown Mesa and along Apache Boulevard in Tempe. The grant empowers artists to use their talents as tools for community and economic development through collaborative placemaking projects.

For her project, Kyllan partnered with The Dhaba Marketplace, creating and refreshing vibrant entrance rangolis and an inviting mural. The work came together beautifully, finishing just in time for the Hindu festival of Diwali.

Check out this quick video to see the project come to life.

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The First Annual loveASrevolution Festival

The first annual loveASrevolution Festival is happening this June in Madrid, New Mexico, and I couldn’t be more excited!

I’m writing about it for a couple of reasons. First, the entire town is run by women artists — how amazing is that? If you’ve ever been to Jerome or Bisbee here in Arizona, think of Madrid as a smaller, artsier version with that same creative, free-spirited energy.

Second, there’s currently a call for artists for the festival, and I wanted to spread the word to anyone interested in being part of something inspiring.

The festival will bring together musicians, artists, vendors, poets, organic farmers, activists, healers, and sustainable practitioners — all gathering to celebrate creativity, community, and the power of love and peace to spark positive change in the world.

SheDeck!

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Women and Skateboards!!

I used to be an avid skate boarder, and I'm excited that I'm going to be part of a show this May called…

SheDeck

It's going to be a group of women artists painting skate boards. I have three decks that I'm working on, but this is my work in progress for board 1. I'm obsessed with Bee's and Hives right now. The intent for me with this show is to put fine artwork painted on a skate deck. The details are still yet to be finalized, but it's either going to be a pop-up gallery over by Roosevelt row or at {9} Gallery  off of Grand and 12Ave. Leave it up to me to overwhelm my self at the end of the semester with homework, work, and now painting. We do it, because we love it and it feeds our soul!

Box Office Micro Dwell

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Check Out “The Box Office” Team Video

I’ve been incredibly interested in tiny homes and plan to build one sometime in the near future. So when I heard about the Micro Dwell Exhibit at the Shemer Art Gallery a couple of weeks ago, I grabbed my sun hat, put on sunscreen, and headed out the door to check it out.

There were so many great ideas on display. Most of the teams only had a few weeks to design and build their structures, which is such a short time frame! The craftsmanship varied, but considering how fast they pulled it together, I was seriously impressed.

One of my favorite projects was a structure called “The Box Office.” I love the name—it’s a portable office space designed and built by a team of seven ASU art, design, and engineering students, all of whom are women.

Some of the coolest parts of this build are the creative materials and design. The team used the same type of insulated foam material found in refrigerator doors, framed it with wood, and even built one end of the structure on casters so it can roll out to create an extended porch-like space. Most of the materials were donated, which makes it even more impressive.

All of this was completed in about three weeks. Amazing work, ladies! Truly inspiring.

Dye-ing Dollar - FUN Facts / Art Experiment!

What Would Happen If You Changed the Color of the U.S. Dollar?

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you changed the color of the U.S. dollar and then tried to spend it? This is one of my projects, it’s curious, playful, and thought-provoking, and bringing ART into the community simply!

Fun Fact #1: It’s Not Illegal to Spend Defaced Money — It’s Still Money!

That’s right. It’s only illegal to deface money if the change makes it unusable or fraudulent. For example, writing on a dollar bill is perfectly fine because the bill still holds its value. Drilling a small hole in a coin is also okay because the coin can still be spent.

Even if you accidentally leave cash in your pants and it goes through the washing machine, don’t worry — your bills will survive. They’re made of linen and cotton fibers, not regular paper, which means water won’t ruin them.

Here’s another interesting (though unverified) observation from an online forum: it’s illegal to alter money in a way that misrepresents its value (like creating a fake rare coin), but it’s perfectly legal to reclaim base metals from coins or use shredded money for things like stuffing pillows or art projects.

If you want to dive deeper, check out the full article that inspired this discussion:

5 Money and Currency Facts Your Banker Never Told You

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Fun Fact #2: There Are Hidden Security Features in Every U.S. Bill

Did you know that every paper bill in circulation has multiple built-in security features to prevent counterfeiting? It’s not just fancy ink — the design and materials are highly specialized.

U.S. currency is printed on a unique blend of cotton and linen rag paper, which is illegal for anyone outside the Treasury to reproduce or handle. Beyond that, each bill includes microprinting, color-shifting ink, watermarks, polymer security threads, and distinctive colors for each denomination. Together, these features make counterfeiting extremely difficult.

To stay ahead of new technology, the U.S. Treasury redesigns notes every seven to ten years, keeping your cash both functional and secure.

If you’re curious to learn more, check out these resources:

• 5 Money and Currency Facts Your Banker Never Told You

• Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco: American Currency Exhibit

JUST DO IT! Art Detour #27 - On March 7 and 8, 2015

Art Detour 27

Meet artists. Discover new spaces. Experience the creative heartbeat of downtown Phoenix.

Just do it! This is the perfect time to gather your friends, hop on the light rail, or bike around downtown while the weather is gorgeous.

Art Detour happens only once a year, and it’s one of the best opportunities to explore Phoenix’s creative community. Most of the participating studios and galleries have curated special exhibitions just for the weekend.

Studios, art spaces, and galleries will be open all day Saturday and Sunday, following the monthly First Friday. You can find maps online to help plan your route once you arrive.

My Top Picks to Visit:

• {9} The Gallery on Grand Ave — Hosting SEVEN @ {9}, the 2015 Art Detour exhibition featuring ASU Master of Fine Art participants.

• The Ice House — Featuring Man Hole Covers as the main exhibit.

• Legend City Studios, 521 W. Van Buren St.

• Roosevelt Row — Always a must-see and the starting point for many art lovers.

Activities include a free circulating trolley, bike and walking tours, art exhibits, hands-on kids’ activities, food trucks, and much more.

Event Details:
📅 March 7–8, 2015
🕚 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
💲 Free admission
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly “Kids’ Detour” activities available at select venues.

“Art Detour is one of the most important events in Phoenix’s calendar.”
— City of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton

1-week /Free time... with no limits ?!?!

Video Done in 5 days!

If I had a week of 100% creative time, what would I do?

As someone balancing a full-time job and full-time studies, that idea felt almost impossible at the time this video was made. Most days, I was so busy that creative thinking felt like a luxury. Honestly, one week was never enough because it usually took me that long just to decompress from my schedule.

If I had a week to unwind and another week completely devoted to creativity—with no deadlines, work, or school projects—choosing between painting, photography, or video would have been tough. For me, the key to any creative project is deciding what I can realistically finish by the end of that time. And by “end of the week,” I really mean the second week. Balance matters!

During that period, I decided to take on a stop-motion short called “Sole Mate.” From story boarding to final edit, the entire process took just five days, and it remains one of my favorite creative projects.

Written, directed, and produced by me, this video is a reminder that creativity can flourish even in the busiest seasons of life. I hope it inspires you too.

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Love Lee Mural's and ART!

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My Video: Artists at Work Featuring Lauren Lee, Chrystal Chandler, and Kyllan Maney

In my last post, I wrote about GreenHaus, and one of the artists I mentioned was Lauren Lee. When I first met Lauren, she had just made the bold decision to leap fully into her art career — to jump off the artist’s cliff and free fall without a financial net.

Lauren graduated from Arizona State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and went on to teach art for five years at The New School for the Arts and Academics in Tempe, Arizona. Around that time, she completed her now-iconic mural, “Three Birds,” on the east side of the GreenHaus building. The piece has since become a downtown landmark, instantly recognizable to anyone who frequents Roosevelt Row. If you haven’t seen it yet, I recommend checking it out soon — it won’t be there for much longer.

Also featured in the video is Kyllan Maney, another incredible artist who continues to inspire me. I’ll be sharing more about her and her work in a future post.

Lauren is a constant source of inspiration. I admire how she pushes herself creatively and connects so genuinely with people at her shows — something I’ve always found challenging. She’s a full-time artist who lives solely off her creative work, which takes tremendous dedication and courage.

Beyond her art, Lauren is deeply involved in her community. She contributes to local gardens, participates in neighborhood events, and teaches classes to share her knowledge and passion with others.

When we, as creatives, take that leap and trust the flow of the journey, magic happens. The impact can ripple outward, inspiring others to do the same. Imagine if Madonna, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Jane Austen, or Georgia O’Keeffe had never taken that leap.

The key is learning to value our work — both creatively and monetarily — recognizing that what we do and the materials we use have worth.

Last Stop! Giving, Love, Heart, Community, SOUL!

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Pic collage of GreenHaus by Delaney Dickerson spawzu.com

Last Stop! Giving, Love, Heart, Community, SOUL!

 These are words and emotions that describe the Gallery and boutique GreenHaus in phoenix.

GreenHaus has recently decided to close their doors and move to Portland (more in a min). Tonight, Friday is the last evening they will be part of the Roosevelt Row First Fridays as the doors will close within the week. If you have never been, get in your car, or hop on the train and go!

In my opinion...

GreenHaus has been a space for local social interaction, local painters, local makers of things, and a place for celebrating all creative ventures and bringing people together. Even the iconic tri-bird mural by Lauren Lee is a reference point for those around and intuitively sends a bold message of lifting up and standing tall. The building itself has an amazing long history in Phoenix.

GreenHaus owner Cole is an amazingly creative person herself. She creates her own art, photograph, and unique furniture refurbishings. GreenHaus as been a huge part of the Phoenix Roosevelt Row community, and I'm personally sad to see them leave.

Recently there has been a lot of press around the GreenHaus. Mostly related to owners Dayna and Cole's decision to close their delightful doors to support their future family adventures. In a recent post on GreenHaus they addressed the reason for their leaving which is related to the true recognizable rights of their alternative family adventures.

I wish them Love, Light, and Happiness on their new adventurous move!

RED MATTERS

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Kindred Spirits in Art: Yvette Arteaga

Back in early 1997, while living in Tempe, I met an intriguing Cuban American artist named Yvette Arteaga. At the time, she was a talented pen-and-ink artist experimenting with blacksmithing alongside a group of other creative characters.

We instantly connected. Like me, Yvette was searching for direction — trying to refine her craft and find focus in her creative path. Over the years, she has evolved into a prolific and versatile artist, constantly expanding her skills and exploring new mediums.

Her journey reminds me of my own. That ongoing pursuit of direction has, in many ways, been a gift — it’s allowed both of us to grow through experimentation and to develop a diverse range of abilities.

Yvette has exhibited her work in several shows, with many of her recent pieces exploring themes of love and the human heart. We had several candid conversations about her art and creative process before and after her show “Red Matter” at GreenHaus Art Gallery and Boutique.

I’m deeply inspired by Yvette. Because of our shared artistic journey, she feels like a kindred sister in the world of art.

A personal thought...

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A Personal Story About Me

Wow — this is incredibly difficult to write. I’d much rather talk about other people and the amazing things they’re doing to inspire me. But… here it goes.

I’ve always been a creative person and a problem solver. People naturally come to me for help with all kinds of things — “Hey, can you draw a tattoo for me?” “Hey, can you take pictures for me?” “Hey, can you make a video for me?” or “Hey, can you help me with my website?” Every time, I feel honored — and sometimes a little overwhelmed. Often, I think, you could do this too; I’ll show you how!

Coming up with one defining experience is hard, because creativity has always been part of who I am. My bigger challenge has been truly pursuing what drives me creatively — finding that niche or two to focus on. I’ve gone to school for what feels like forever, poking my head in and out of that creative door but never quite stepping through it completely. Fear of financial instability and failure has always held me back a little.

A few years ago, in an effort to figure things out, I randomly joined an Artist’s Way book group in Phoenix. I didn’t know what to expect — maybe a little direction, maybe some motivation. The Artist’s Way is a course book that gives weekly tasks and reflections designed to help creative people reconnect with their artistic flow.

When I first walked in, I thought, “Okay, not everyone who starts will finish.” I’d never seen myself as the “support group” type, but the experience surprised me. I was humbled by the variety of struggles everyone shared. It reminded me that creativity — like people — is complex and layered.

I decided to give the process my all. Like exercise, you only get out what you put in. And it worked. I met incredible people who kept the discussions positive even when they were deep. For the first time in years, I pursued my own art show and began to really flow creatively again.

I learned to step out of my own way and just do. That’s the heart of creativity — the act itself. The hardest part is coming up with the idea, then pushing past ego, fear, and self-doubt. And maybe the most important lesson: learning to fail. Falling down is how we grow. Failure isn’t nearly as terrible to others as it feels to us.

For me, the challenge is not letting failure stop me in my tracks but instead using it to push forward. What keeps me inspired most are other creative women — their persistence, their courage, their drive. Watching their journeys keeps me in awe and constantly asking myself, What am I doing next?

Art Show @ greenHAUS Phoenix Photos By: Julia Rajchel

The art show at greenHaus "Signs of Earthly Finds" had a great turnout! It was wonderful to accomplish a goal in the first if the series of signs made with found objects and paint and plexiglass. Huge thanks to greenHaus's Cole & Dayna Reed for believing in me and giving me a chance.

Thank you Julia Rajchel for taking such wonderful pictures!

Thank you Cameo Hill for supporting and being there for me!!

GreenHaus
http://www.greenhausphx.com
Photos
http://juliarajchel.com/