I got an email recently about Warby Parker. A Toms of eyewear. And while I don’t even need glasses at said time, I am ordering at home try-ons just to economically high five such a great company. Adorable glasses. Affordable. At home try-ons. And if all that weren’t enough. Every time you buy a pair, a pair of glasses is donated to someone who can’t afford them. Enough said. I am in heart. Completely.

Get some new snazzy see-ers you little do-gooder!

As fate would have it, my return to New York sent me on a completely different journey. And isn’t a shift in direction one of the best parts of going on an adventure?!? I’ve been painting and drawing. Maniacally. Working at the Art Students League which absolutely makes my heart smile. Always.

And now, I find myself on a completely different journey. One I know will open up doors and introduce possibilities beyond what I can hope for. This year I have decided to become an esthetician. I know. A bit in the opposite direction, you would think, right? It actually fits hand in hand with everything i’ve ever wanted. Locational freedom. The ability to make people feel good. To connect and help someone. A trade that I can use for volunteer purposes. And the flexibility to make sure that I can always keep creating art. Bit by bit i’ve realized this is a win win situation. And so this year I commence yet another transformation. (We all know I adore those) And I can’t wait to bring you guys along…

*The photo shown above is by a talented photographer, Amy Paterson. It perfectly depicts a fine day of adventure. If you adore the image as much as I do and want it all for your own, you can pick it up here.

Seriously guys. Doesn’t it feel amazing to make special little doodads for all those special someones in your life? To think of that ultimate gift that will get just the right smirk out of someone? To receive things that were given thought and time instead of yet another snuggie. Of course it does. (Don’t get me wrong. Snuggies are a-ok in my book). I’m just saying. It’s nice to see that folks are going back to the good ole days. A little less about material things. A little bit more about connecting.

And it’s been yet another year where I find myself completely enamored by all the lovely ideas that make their way out of the brains of a wave of talented DIYers. Here are just a few of my new favorites…

Check out Sleep No More.

I don’t know what else you would need to completely fall in heart with this artist. I know I did. He has figured out a way to take an insanely ancient concept, the triptych, and completely reformat it and make it interesting. Let’s turn this thing on it’s side and upside down. Done. He takes super intimate (Not in a kinky way, in a “Let me get closer than close to your face so I can know you” way.) photographs of complete strangers that he meets and gets to know on the street. A series of three photos are taken and fused together by subject, background, and color scheme. Brilliantly lovely.

Get to know a few strangers.

Since then I have various journals. Of all kinds. One for gratitude and spiritual growth. One that is immensely biographical in the most non sensical way and will at some point be used in an art project. And one that is in fact an art project in itself. But within the past couple of months I have felt much turmoil that has yet to find an outlet. Which has led me to begin yet another journal. The dailies. A place where I can spew what needs to be spewed and be done with it.

And for the first time I have decided to go digital, after all, the convenience of being able to whip out my iPad at a moment’s notice is brilliant. After various pockets of research I decided to go with the old handy dandy Mac Journal. Why, you ask? Sure, there were others. Prettier on the eyes. Automatic syncing. Both of which are quite tempting. This one in particular allows for something that’s of upmost importance to me, the cubby holing of different journals. So I can keep all of my thoughts scattered in the most sorted of ways. Along with multi-media capabilities so if I get the urge to speak an entry or throw an image in, i’m set. So far I am super happy with it. I’ll keep you posted on any updates to the software i’m using. Check it out and get some writing of your own done. Signed, a journaler through and through.

If you’re thinking about digital journaling, check out Mac Journal.

Check out more of Liz Brizzi’s work.

First Stop: Rebecca Campbell. A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing. Ameringer-Yohe.
I have no idea why my hand stopped on Rebecca Campbell’s name when I was scrolling through NY Art Beat. Did she telepathically tap me on the shoulder to get my attention? Did I somehow feel that I would fall completely head over heels with her work? Did we high five somewhere in arty land cyberspace? Perhaps. Perhaps. And perhaps. Any which way I look at it, this was a win win situation. Rebecca’s work moved me. Right down to the core. Big. Ginormous. Colorful. Brush strokes. And girls dressed up as mimes. Swoon Rebecca. Big swoon.

Check out more of Rebecca’s work.

Second Stop: Cayce Zavaglia. Embroidered Portraits. Lyons Wier Gallery.
Oh embroidery. How are you so magical? So simple. At times. Yet possible of so many complexities. I knew I had to check out this show out of sheer adoration for the art form. One I had watched my grandma partake in for hours in Brasil, as well as one that I have been attempting to integrate in my life the past couple of years. With that said, artists such as Zavaglia have taken embroidery to an entirely new level. What I once saw as a sweet, nostalgic medium has now been recognized as layered. Involved. Painterly. Each portrait approached with vigor and passion. Definitely not your grandma’s threading. No offense grandma.

Check out Cayce’s site.

Third Stop: Meeting of a Heart.
We walked. We laughed. We saw. A heart. Existing all on his own. And we decided to hang out with him for a while. He was sweet. On the corner of 22nd-ish and the West Side Highway. Took some memorables and met some kooks along the way. Till next time Mister Heart.

Fourth Stop: Unsure. Uncle Terry Encounter.
The deal is this. Charlotte and I went into a gallery. Nothing planned. Just by chance. And to be honest I don’t even quite remember which space it was. I just remember thinking that the show had something to do with lightbulbs. Or lights. They were everywhere. And before I had a chance to fully take everything in. Charlotte’s eyes lit up like a kid encountering 10 Christmases-e. You’re intrigued, I know. She had just spotted one of her biggest idols. Uncle Terry himself. The Terry Richardson. And after several inner tug of wars decided to ask him to take a pic with him, and he couldn’t have been sweeter about it. Thanks for making Charlotte’s day Uncle Terry.You rawk.

Uncle Terry’s diary. You know you want to.

Fifth Stop: Marc Dennis. Honey Bunny. Hasted Kraeutler.
Ok. So obviously nothing else could top our run in. But we decided to hop into Hasted Kraeutler who recently became one of my favorites after the Paulo Ventura show. And were greeted by none other than an adorable little Westie pup laying on a bed of meat. Raw. Red. Uncooked. Meat. We were intrigued. The artist? Marc Dennis. The work. Mainly juxtapositions of American culture. Kittens and guns.
Blue birds and assault weapons. Pearls and pistols. And so on. Pretty rad.

Check out more info on Marc’s work.

Check out Red Nose Studio. You won’t be disappointed.

Here’s if you’re curious about his work.

And a bit more to visually munch on.