California Kiss Studio

Last Post to this blog!

2011-02-19T16:16:00.001-08:00

Hello~
I will be posting to my Pinks & Needles blog from now on....Come see me over there!

Alice in Wonderland Inspired

2010-02-24T06:28:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends~ (please click on images for a much larger view)

Sadly it has been some time since I posted here on this blog. The holidays were extra busy and after the new year my shop seemed to only get busier so those two reasons are what has been holding me back! What's worse is....this is my "art" blog and art is what makes me get up in the morning! I am hoping to create more time for my artistic outlet in the future! Does anyone know a recipe for a Time Space Continuum? Ha ha!
Anyway, I wanted to share with you what I have been working on at a slow rate. I have done other sculptures in the past that seem to really revolve around sweets and cupcakes. Obviously this one still does but there's something a little different added to the mix! A big fat white rabbit! I've always been an Alice in Wonderland fan - ever since I was old enough to read and I felt it only appropriate to plop him down atop a magical mushroom!

I am used to sculpting on a very small scale with my pin toppers, so sculpting this has been very different for me. It's so big in comparison!!! The whole piece stands a whopping 10 inches tall! I know that must sound funny to some but it is really different!

I hope all of you go and see Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland when it hits theaters early in March! It should be a real visual treat. Have a wonderful inspired day today~

P.S. I wanted to mention that the glue is still wet a round the edge of the green scallops.....it is starting to cure nicely now and isn't so white looking anymore under the glitter.

And the Winner is.............

2009-11-02T14:11:00.001-08:00

Catherine of Mrs. Toad Designs!!!!
Thank you to all who participated in Pinks & Needles First Blog Giveaway! Catherine will be receiving this handmade Holiday Cupcake Ornament made by me with lots and lots of LOVE!!!
Be sure to check out Catherine's blog at:
Mrs. Toad Designs
See you all for our Big Re-Opening of Pinks & Needles on Etsy Monday November 16th! Tons of fun Holiday gifts will be available! We'll be hosting another Blog Giveaway for the month of December - please stay tuned!

See you all for our Big Re-Opening of Pinks & Needles on Etsy! Tons of fun Holiday gifts will be available! We'll be hosting another Blog Giveaway for the month of December - please stay tuned!

Corpse bride Make Up Trial Run

2009-10-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

Hope I'm not scaring anyone too bad.......just doing a trial run for tomorrow nights Halloween party down the street at my neighbors house : ) I had a lot of fun doing the eyes and the stitching around the mouth. I'm posting this here because make up application is an art like I have never experienced before!!! When I was a lot younger I used to play dress up and put my Mom's Avon lipstick on but never in all my years have I really experimented with make up to this extent. I"m not much of a make up wearer in everyday life. I can see how people could really get into it!!! I"m looking forward to posting tomorrow to show the whole shabang!!! I have big plans for my hair - NO WIG either!!! Just my big old mop!!!

My Very First Blog Giveaway!!!!!

2009-10-19T09:51:00.001-07:00

Choose which blog you would like to follow by clicking on "Follow Blog" at the top of the page. I keep 4 blogs current (listed below)! Choose to follow 1 or more. The more blogs you follow the better your chances for winning! I will enter your name in once for each blog you follow : )

Pinks & Needles Blog a place to keep up to date with my Etsy shop Pinks & Needles!
California Girl Confections a place where I share recipes!
California Girl at Heart a place where I share fun things!
California Kiss Studio a place where I share art!
I will be giving away a lovely handmade surprise to the Lucky person who's name I pull from a hat on November 1st!!!!!!
Please note: you can comment here but in order to be entered into the drawing you must "follow" me at 1 or more of my 4 blogs : )
Thank you so much! I look forward to my first giveaway!!!! If you are already a follower you will automatically be entered into the drawing!

Ray Caesar - Amazing digital artist!

2009-10-11T18:47:00.001-07:00

So I was in Anthropologie the other day sifting through their fabulous collection of books for sale when I happened upon a new out called "The Upset". Chock full of amazing contemporary artists! One of may favs Mark Ryden made the cover!!! So exciting! I need this book "real bad" said in a Napoleon Dynamite voice!!!
One of the artist featured is Ray Caesar. His work is digital and so eye popping I can't explain it! Check her out - taking a little upside cat nap - what a cutie! Me love!!!!! I mean really love!

Busty Lusties

2009-10-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

A lot of my art lately has been on the dark side....hmmm.mmmm not sure why - considering I'm pretty happy go lucky!!!!

Mark Ryden Inspired Pin Toppers

2009-08-25T13:16:00.001-07:00

mark ryden inspired pin toppers
Originally uploaded by Gigi & Big Red

I just wanted to share some pin toppers I've made - totally inspired by my love for Mark Ryden's art! These pins are very much on the happy side although I can't speak for Mark - seems his art is often dark and mysterious. I wanted to capture the childlike quality that I find so endearing in much of his work. Balloon Animals for your pincushion it is!!!

Mark Ryden Art ~ gosh does he have a vision or what? I am so in awe of his work!

2009-08-09T20:17:00.001-07:00

So I have admired Mark Ryden's work for a while now and decided to make this mosaic on flickr of just a few of his lovely paintings. I'm really wanting his book right now!!!! It's chock full of fascinating art but it's $395 - ouch!!!! Maybe someday.........

Twilight Freak

2009-07-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

Yes you could say I am totally obsessed with this movie, soundtrack, book, yada, yada, yada.........every free moment lately has been dedicated to sketching the characters.
Bella Swan is so delicate and lovely, while Edward is very fetching and brutally handsome.

Where the Magic Happens

2007-12-11T21:39:00.001-08:00

Another Pix of My Studio
Originally uploaded by Gigi & Big Red

I haven't posted in so long and decided to show a photo of where I work on all my projects. There's a lot going on in here as you can see. But I try to keep it organized and always end up on the floor some how!

Digital Cake Series

2007-10-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

Here's the first 4 of my designs! I used Fireworks to create them. It was a very busy weekend coming up with these yummy fantasy cakes! Very fun and relaxing too. I would like to somehow paint these on canvas ~ not sure how to arrange them but it's an idea : )

Cherries in Pencil

2007-09-21T21:26:00.000-07:00

A quick sketch of one of my favorite fruits. I used to love picking cherries off our tree in my backyard when I was little. My dad had three varieties growing from one tree. He used the grafting method ~ it was really amazing!

Queen of the Kitchen

2007-09-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

It was a landmark birthday this past June for my Mom! I painted her a cake with a crown on top. She loves crowns and she's defianatly the Queen of the Kitchen so it only made sense to whip this painting up for her. I used acrylic on canvas and embellished with rhinestones and glitter. I love working with metallic paint too it really gives a nice effect in the light. I love the bright pinks and greens. I wish I had more time to paint because I really enjoy it! I usually don't have an idea of what my paintings will turn out like. I never sketch it first. It always seems to just kind of reveal itself as I putz along.