It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. Life has been very busy. Kathy is pushing me to post more things, so I’m going to do my best. I’m currently working on a collection of paintings for my upcoming show at Barrio Cafe in Phoenix. It goes up Monday, June 7th and stays until August. Here is one of my paintings, it isn’t done  yet. It’s inspired by Kathy’s new novel that comes out next year.

I have a Dia de los Muertos exhibit coming up at XICO in Chandler and am busy working away on getting my pieces ready. One of them is a big installation of an Aztec warrior skeleton. Here is a snapshot of part of his headdress.

Kathy and I had an art exhibit at The Heard Museum for the past 11 months. We made over 500 items for the 1,000 foot gallery space. We had a silent auction last Friday night to close the show. Everything sold! The rest we get to take home and enjoy in our house. Maybe we’ll sell some it, we’re not sure yet. Thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting us and the exhibit!

I haven’t had time to blog lately, I’ve been super busy making art. The orders for fall are starting to flow in, and i’m trying to get a jump on the season. Here is what I’ve made!

Here is it, my TV tray! This started with a plain $10 folding tray. This is for when you want to eat in front of the TV set. You know, like when Deadliest Catch has a marathon? I used Stencil1.com stencils and Crafty Chica paints and glitters and I doorhandle sized drill bit so the drink cozy would fit right in. The whole thing is sealed in resin.  I added a magazine rack (a bamboo placemat held to tray with drilled holes and wire hanger pieces) to the side and best of all a flag on the other side. Why a flag? So I can raise it when I want seconds! Chop-chop kiddos, Daddy wants another round of mac and cheese!

Last night we went to my brother-in-law’s 37th birthday party and let me tell you, he is a partier! We needed to dress for the occasion. At the last minute I whipped out a Sharpie and drew tattoos on our arms.

To make this tattoo, first I used an Aztec rubber stamp. I used a stamp pad called Staz On. And then I drew around it with the Sharpie. You can use different color markers with Qtips dipped in rubbing alcohol. Sharpie should come out with Skin Tattoo Markers, with stencils, a blending tool and an alcohol dabber. They would make a million bucks!

I’ve had this idea in my head for ages and I finally made it! It’s a tackle box inside your hat! I bought a hat at the army surplus store. I  kept it intact and created a shallow “tray” from acetate sheets and then used camo fabric I bought to go over it. I used hot glue to put it together. I made small compartments for fishing supplies. I also added a waterproof iPod holder on the side, and a small case for tiny objects. I also had to make sure that everything was very lightweight. No one likes a fisherman with a headache! Now that is what I call MANTASTIC!

Victor Domine from the Craft and Hobby Association has been one of my biggest mantastic supporters! I want to tell him thank you for mentioning me to this reporter. She did an article on how popular masculine crafts are becoming and mentioned me. Click here to read Men take on female-dominated craft world: Crafting’s new face, By Elana Ashanti Jefferson, The Denver Post. Thank you too Elana!

… a new painting! My wife loves to eat fresh fruit slices with Pico de Gallo sprinkled on top, or sometimes Tajin seasoning. To see the plate and how she arranges the pieces, it looks very vibrant. It was ripe to be painted! This painting is dedicated to all the fruit lovers out there! I have some mantasitcally cool craft projects coming up next week for Father’s Day so stay tuned!

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