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Camille Rose Garcia: Animus Chrysalis Mortis

Posted in art, exhibits, tribute with tags art, exhibits, tribute on March 4, 2016 by shewalkssoftly

I can never let a new Camille Rose Garcia show debut without posting about it. Just looking at the title of this one made me wish I were 3,000 miles away where I could see it (there’s a bonus Bowie portrait, for all the fans in mourning out there!).

Animus Chrysalis Mortis just opened at Roq La Rue gallery in Seattle. In the exhibition statement, she says:
For this body of work I was inspired by the surrealist and deeply symbolic films of Alejandro Jodorowsky, Jungian archetypes, and Greek mythology.

I created a personal language of symbols, then made a card set and selected at random a different set for each new painting. This method taps into the elements of subconscious influence and chance, as well as mirrors the cut-up method of writing created by one of my favorite authors William Burroughs.

From these subconscious suggestions I created a lush and layered symbolic world that explores the realm of childhood, memory and longing. Ghosts and gardens, snakes and skulls frame fever-dream scenes of wounded goddesses slayed open, fecund gardens growing from their wounds. Vibrant strange gardens populated with insects and dream imagery portray a psychedelic dance between life and death.

See the exhibition online here.

The Mini Tree of Horrors

Posted in christmas, Dana projects, decoration, monsters, tribute with tags christmas, Dana projects, decoration, monsters, tribute on December 25, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

Last Christmas I was home alone in a neck brace with a bizarre 6 month case of severe laryngitis so I couldn’t speak. But I ate a whole box of my favorite cookies ever (see below) and a LOT of bacon…so that was a nice little party for one!

At the start of the year I went to LA to stay with my father, presumably for a couple of weeks to get my seriously deteriorating health in order. As the universe would have it, I was slated for unimaginable medical horrors in 2013 (many of which I’ve referred to in this blog)…and I’m still here in LA, very slowly but surely rebounding from what the doctors deemed “incurable.”

While my heart aches for the bygone days of constant holiday crafting, baking, decorating and spoiling the hell out of my love ones (and I will do all of the above again one day)… I can find immense joy and hope in the fact that I am still alive with a wonderful little family and group of supportive friends. I’ve had a few tiny miracles, indeed.

We always spend Christmas in New York, so we have no decorations in this apartment. I’m not quite recovered enough to get out or have visitors yet, so it will just be my father and me this Christmas. But I was determined to do something special, so we got a cozy little table top tree. The mad influx of medical bills inspired me to decorate it for under $5.

I chose to make a tribute to the countless days my dad and I spent watching old sci-fi and horror together throughout my life. We still do it, and it is something I treasure immeasurably.

How many familiar faces can you spot?

Thank you all for reading this blog, and for your support this year. I miss my family and friends terribly. Although I can’t participate in festivities yet, it is a special year because I still…exist (how MAGICAL!)! I wish you all an amazing holiday season.

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.

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Christopher Lee: Jingle Hell

Posted in christmas, music, tribute, video with tags christmas, music, tribute, video on December 22, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

Christopher Lee has 276 film credits to his name, and at the age of 91 has just released his SECOND heavy metal Christmas treat (how was I remiss in posting the first one when I went nuts over it last year?).

He has a new single “Jingle Hell” out on A HeavyMetal Christmas Too (and the b-side is a cover of Sinatra’s “My Way!”)

This man is just remarkable. A perfect bellowing British voice, so awesome in his many roles. And metal records at 91!

His Christmas message talks about some projects and sends his best wishes.

BONUS: Christopher Lee reads The Nightmare Before Christmas

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.

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RIP Grandma (a.k.a “Gram”)

Posted in nature, sea, tribute with tags nature, sea, tribute, video, vintage on September 28, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

On Thursday, one of the dearest people in my life passed away: my lovely grandmother (a fellow Pisces, lover of seashells and all-things ocean, hence the following pics (source)).

Our time together was plentiful, and filled with smiles, laughter, hugs and “I love yous.” I feel a deeper sense of history in her home than my own. It was, from my first sparks of conscious memory to present day, the coziest place in my world. I still long to visit the cookie drawer in the kitchen, take a warm seat beside her and watch the hypnotic movement of her knitting needles. As I grapple for the language to describe our incredible bond, it all falls short.

She saw a great light in me. She saw only light. Whether I walked into her house wearing chunky platform boots and outrageous gothic oddities, or sweatpants and no makeup, she would look at me and say “you’re so beautiful.” She blissfully marveled at every stage of my life, as if I were this brilliant, radiant being that would change the world. In her presence I felt that maybe, just maybe, I could.

My heart breaks for the limitations of my physical body at this time, my inability to get on a plane and fly home to my beloved family. But they know that my heart and soul are with them.

Gram, my spirit is swing dancing with you on the astral plane. Your sweet little black sheep loves you beyond words, now and forever.

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.

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World’s Greatest Dad

Posted in home, tribute, TV with tags humor, tribute, TV, video on June 16, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

Can’t type much, but I must take this Father’s Day opportunity to honor the World’s Greatest Dad (“That’s better than #1!”).

Dad, you have always been, and still remain my greatest inspiration and my true hero. I love you more than anything. THANK YOU…for everything you’ve done, for everything you do…for being you.

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.

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Mother’s Day Sewing Cake

Posted in craft, food, tribute with tags craft, food, tribute on May 12, 2013 by shewalkssoftly

In loving memory of Mom…from whom I get all my craftiness…we have this PHENOMENAL sewing box cake.

Other great ones here.

Cannot type/talk due to severe illness (all words courtesy of voice software or kind typing helpers)…I read and appreciate all comments…Apologies for not being able to respond.

Father’s Day

Posted in absurd, advertising, art, film, food, kitsch, monsters, tribute, TV, vintage with tags absurd, advertising, art, film, food, kitsch, monsters, tribute, TV, vintage on June 17, 2012 by shewalkssoftly

It’s too bad the words in the English language are so limited. I wish there were a thousand different ways I could express my Father’s Day sentiments, but I once again go back to the blurb on my first SheWalksSoftly Father’s Day post:

Today I’d like to like to honor my dad, who is truly one of the most amazing individuals I’ve ever known. This man has been a stellar role model of compassion, responsibility and integrity, who continues to inspire me on a daily basis. I owe so much of who I am, and anything I may achieve in the future, to his love and guidance.

It’s a rare person (and a rare parent) who can seamlessly blend rationality and emotion, regulation and freedom, wish and possibility. He selflessly provided so much, yet taught me to take nothing for granted. From him, I learned to hope for great things…yet never balk at working hard to get them. I learned that love is not only words, but the genuine desire to make someone’s world a better place, honoring their needs with equal (if not more) importance than one’s own.

Dad, not a day goes by that I don’t appreciate the hell out of you! May I go forward in this world with the values you have taught me and make you proud…

Now for a few goodies.

Um…what? Bonus points to whoever has the best guess as to what this supposed to be?

Some nice skeletal father and child hands…

Well you ARE my anchor Dad, but something is lost in the execution here.

#…? Eh, forget it. Math is hard.

A tool.

The perfect gift.

Always a good idea:

Wow. Nothing says love like beating the hell out of your child, in as ad no less.

Hey dad, remember when you would take me to practice sports as a kid even though I was terrible at them and couldn’t wait until they weren’t mandatory anymore? Somehow you made it fun (which for me is the equivalent of enjoying a root canal). Thank you. (I chose this picture because I was probably just slightly less adept than a cat trying to play soccer…but close)

This is the truth:

Get it? Get it? *Nudge, nudge*

You gave me a love of monsters & macabre old and new! How I miss watching movies with you! (Gee, I love how I just start to rhyme like a Dr Seuss book sometimes)

So, #1 Dad (or, World’s Greatest…the best in the world…which is better than #1)…you are my hero now and always. I LOVE YOU!

Happy Father’s Day to the dads out there!

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Les Tres Riches Heures de Mrs. Mole

Posted in art, Books, illustration, tribute with tags art, Books, illustration, tribute on June 5, 2012 by shewalkssoftly

Let’s take a break from the typical spookiness of this blog for something truly beautiful.

Illustrator Ronald Searle (who really deserves another feature post) created a very special project for his wife, now available as a hardcover book.

47 jewel-like drawings by Ronald Searle made for his wife, Monica, each time she underwent chemotherapy. On New Year’s Eve 1969, Monica Searle was diagnosed with a rare and virulent form of breast cancer. Each time she underwent treatment, Ronald produced a Mrs Mole drawing ‘to cheer every dreaded chemotherapy session and evoke the blissful future ahead’. Filled with light and illuminated in glowing colours, the drawings speak of love, optimism and hope.

Like the medieval illuminated manuscripts such as the 15th-century Les Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, to which the title of this book refers, the 47 drawings are on an intimate scale and were never intended for publication. The story of Monica’s survival against the odds and the part played by the encouragement of her husband will move many people who have either experienced cancer for themselves or been affected through a close family member or friend.

What a profoundly touching gesture. I remember when my mother was battling cancer, I made her a postcard every single week for over a year (complete with quotes or loving statements on the back). I eventually assembled the collection into an album for her. While she did not survive this journey, I believe in the power of art to bring joy and sooth the spirit. It warms my heart to think that the selfless bond between two people (whether lovers, family or friends) can inspire this kind of valiant effort.

“Everything about them had to be romantic and perfect. I drew them originally for no one’s eyes except Mo’s, so she would look at them propped up against her bedside lamp and think: ‘When I’m better, everything will be beautiful.’” ~ Ronald Searle

Les Tres Riches Heures de Mrs. Mole
Source

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Dergin Tokmak

Posted in tribute, video with tags tribute, video on April 10, 2012 by shewalkssoftly

Dergin Tokmak contracted Polio when he was only one year old, which resulted in partial paralysis from Poliomyelitis. He went on to become a Cirque du Soleil performer and breakdancer.

Check out this informal video from his youtube channel. Give it a minute to get going…and watch the incredibly fluid, gravity defying moves. Amazing.

“I want to pass on to the next generation … so people can see that no handicap is too big or too limiting to dance. My message as an artist is to show the world that there is a creative soul in everyone with or without a handicap.” –Dergin Tokmak

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David Kracov

Posted in charity, sculpture, tribute with tags charity, sculpture, tribute on January 5, 2012 by shewalkssoftly

This gorgeous sculpture by David Kravoc was commissioned as an award for Rabbi Yossi Raichik, director of Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl.

The piece represents The Book of Life, and pages are filled with the words of those touched by Raichik’s kindness. What a lovely idea for a memorial, and very well executed.