A little shout out to my friends....

Photo Credit: Kate Facenda


The day a show comes down is always emotional for me.

I see what worked...and what didn't work and I have to kind sit in it
for a while.

However difficult it (at times) can be to put yourself out there;
the worth out weights the struggle.

My friend Kathy...she is an angel in my life. She is one of the most
genuine, kind hearted, honest people I know. She said to me while we were sitting
outside of my show...

"I didn't really understand what you were trying to do...but now I totally get it".

I like to put people together. I wish I was ego driven...I'd probably be more successful in my own artwork; but I'm not. I simply love to support and promote positive energy and if I see it...I will spread it! Kathy is an amazing support in my life. I appreciate her and she is on a pedestal in my world...a really tall one!!! She created along side of my...the very first Talula Love Bottoms pieces. She has this magical line that I am in love with when she puts charcoal to paper!!! I hope she knows how much I value and respect her!!!! (if she didn't...now she does!) This week will be a good one for you because you pay it forward!!! Thank you!

This show was successful for me because I got to enjoy the magic of creative energy with very creative, positive, kind people.

Jennifer Bailey - You allow for artists to have a venue and a freedom to display artwork. That is huge in my world and I am so thankful for you and I look forward to many more collaborations!!

Who's on First Cafe Staff - Always happy, always stoked! Great to know you and be able to vibe off of your goodness!

Jaime Keenan - You are a spark in my life! Heaven sprinkles glitter and gold when you walk!!! Thank you for your goodness and my god girl...you are TALENTED!!! This show would not have worked without you!

Kate Facenda - What a refreshing, pure, genuine gift you have of seeing things like through magical eyeballs!!! I am so glad to have found you and look forward to many adventures! I see big things...and great accessories in our future!!! lol!!!

Dr. Paul Lewis - Higher Path Healing; I think we are professionally trying to accomplish similar goals...you selflessly help me and I appreciate your incredible energy in my world!

Jenn Nelson - You are such a bundle of goodness! I believe in you and am lucky to have your encouragement and endless support!

Tara Kelly - you are unmatchable and treasured! Never leave me for long because I do not fair as well without you!

Nate Tweed - a West Coast breathe of fresh air in my everyday!

Helen Rotherham - I know we don't talk often...and our worlds are coast to coast; but you have been a major influence on the way I view life...I love and miss you dearly every day. You will always be sunshine to me!

Jamie D - Seriously. YOU INSPIRE ME! You are SPARK. YOU ARE FIREWORKS! You were the first and that can never be repeated! POW! Addddriiaaannnnnn.......

Jillian Madiera - You are my music. My life sounds better with you in it.

Chelsea Conner - Laughter. You light up my life with humor and I think you should sing and dance and have coffee together daily!

Meghan Jones - My life wasn't complete until I met you...my mental match in many ways. I can't wait to see what kind of mark you make on this world!!!

Christa Roberts - Honest to god I don't know why I have become so lucky to have you in my world! You are so real and fabulous and I can't tell you how much of an impact you have made on me...I believe again because of you! Thank you!

To my artists:
Ryan Loper, Adam Bruno, Sarah Tschaar, and Melissa Hartwell...you don't know how happy it makes me to know that you understand the power of creativity and that I am part of sharing it with you. You are the reason I do what I do and proof is in the pudding...your are making incredible artwork.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST...not even close;
My best friends since I knew the true value of friendship.
Shannon, Stephanie, and Angie
You never let me down. You are the glue that holds me together.
You are my past, present and future. I am so terrifically fortunate
to call you my best friends. I am better because of you...you are grouped
together in this last part because we will never be far from one anothers hearts.
Thank you so much for being you.

For the love of art!!! I believe in goodness and I will be successful in my journey because of all of your positive energy...

and yes. it's true. I love baby arms. Especially if they are attached to Shannons children!!! xoxo.

But I Can't. Help. Falling. IN LOVE. with.....

Art Shows.
Often are wonderful dilemma's that fall in to our laps.

How a show unfolds for me is often more magical than the artwork.
Julie Goldstein is an artist from LBI who is a woodcut block printer.
She's amazing and I strive to be half as talented as she is. She once told
me that her art wasn't necessarily about the finished product but about the
process. When she said that to me...I silently wished that I understood what
that felt like. At that point of my career...my own artwork wasn't even really
something I was working towards. I didn't even know what my own work was.

Here I am now...3 to 4 years from that conversation with Julie. (who now lives in California, shows work all over the world and just got a great design position with Roxy!! (She will always be a great inspiration to me!!!)...and I now completely understand and LOVE what I now know as my process.

My friend and fellow artist Ryan Loper sometimes comes over and I'll throw an artwork in front of him and say..."fix it. Help. It's not working for me." He says no a few times and then...kindly...fixes it for me. Makes it better; makes it his own and at my last show we started calling them Talula Loper Bottoms. Pieces we make together. His fiance hates the name but Ryan and I say she (Talula Loper Bottoms) will take over the world! The laughter makes it worth it.

That's why I do art. My process just happens to involve other people. Artists, friends..etc. And...now I've realized that's the true joy that I get out of my work.

SO...how a show unfolds for me.

A trigger. This show the trigger was me seeing Laura Mayer post of 1st Streets facebook page and in my head I said...enough is enough...Laura needs to get in the mix. (Sea of Glass) She's talented, sweet, hard working and I don't know - I just want her to get on the Talula train. So...I go to Who's on First, Jennifer (the amazing Jennifer Bailey who's importance in this formula is undeniable!!) says I can hang a show on Sunday..three days. (THREE DAYS TO DO A SHOW LIKE I DO A SHOW? WHAT?) ok....I message Laura; she's on board and suddenly;

"Wood meets Glass and Falls in Love at Local Coffee Shop" It works out. It SHOCKINGLY works...


and...Crap. Three days.

I do a bunch of really bad art. Or ok art...and then I panic. Everything has to
tell a story. I have to be consistent...the perfect song needs to tie the work and the show together; so many things have to happen for it to work for me.

By some kinda of miracle or energy flow...into my space walks the person
for now we will call her Talula #3. Talula #3 dives in to the mayhem and starts to
(literally) wire everything together..and suddenly during this process the
art becomes FABULOUS. It blows me away every time.

It's my process. It's why Talula Love Bottoms has to exist in my work. So many people
help me make this happen. I can't tell you how important it truly is to me.

Next, the show has to get hung. I am lucky to have great friends who like to be
involved. Jenn Nelson is hands down a saving grace in my life most often. My crazy art personality can be very difficult to deal with...I see things that often aren't easy to understand and I have difficultly communicating it. She has the patience and the Leo hand that keeps me on point!

Then there's the fact that I take terrible photos (and I need to promote the show with these terrible photos most of the time)...I am not afraid to admit that. I need, needed, search for, ask, beg, plead...etc. people to photo my art for me. Kate Facenda showed up, photoed my art. She asks me "do you want standard clip art...or artsy?"

There is nothing standard about Talula Love Bottoms. Kate gets the picture. I think she was humoring me. As seen above. Another great artist comes onto the scene. At this point...Introducing...What? Are there two Talula's at my show? (did you hear that gasp?) I did.

The show takes on a whole other meaning! HELLO! There's a bunch of really fabulous artists in the cafe..having coffee...falling in love.

With art.
Talula love.

I could go on but I'll save it. I'm gonna drop a bunch of initials right now in thanks. You know who you are.

JB - Who's On First Cafe! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
JN
RN
ST
RL
EL
JG
KF
JK
JD
CC
MJ
NT
PL

The song: ELVIS
I Can't Help Falling In Love With You

Wise men say only fools rush in
Oh, but I can´t help falling in love with you

Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be

So take my hand, and take my whole life too
'Cause I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows so surely to the sea
darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be

So won't you please just take my hand
And take my whole life too
'Cause I can't help falling in love, in love with you
'Cause I can't help falling in love, falling in love,
I keep falling in love
With you