Conceptual Work- Mixed Media

Caul, Detail                                                      Mixed Media

With all of the focus on business it's time to get back to the proverbial drawing board.  To the right is a detail of a very complex mixed media piece I finished a little over a year ago.  The "mistakes" that lead to its existence are buried in the archives of this blog.  It took months to do because both the process and the concept of the piece took a while to unfold.  I ended up naming it Caul.  

Here's a brief quote from Wikipedia.  I developed the piece before finding the word but the concept was perfect: 

Caul, History and tradition

In medieval times the appearance of a caul on a newborn baby was seen as a sign of good luck.^[6] It was considered an omen that the child was destined for greatness. Gathering the caul onto paper was considered an important tradition of childbirth: the midwife would rub a sheet of paper across the baby's head and face, pressing the material of the caul onto the paper. The caul would then be presented to the mother, to be kept as an heirloom. Some Early Modern European traditions linked caul birth to the ability to defend fertility and the harvest against the forces of evil, particularly witches and sorcerers.^[7]

A legend developed suggesting that possession of a baby's caul would give its bearer good luck and protect that person from death by drowning. Cauls were therefore highly prized by sailors. Medieval women often sold these cauls to sailors for large sums of money; a caul was regarded as a valuable talisman.^[8]

In modern times those born with the caul claim to possess preternatural abilities.^[9][10]

Today I had the pleasure of getting lost in the world of creation.  Below some bits and pieces of the new series I'm creating. I've strewn it across my worktable in the studio.    I've been pouring paint and matte medium, manipulating photos, sketching and cranking the music to see where this birthing thing takes me.  Time and dedication are required.  When I finally find time, it disappears.  It's life that seems to take the dedication!

Work in progress, Reference photos and painting 

supports on top of translucent Yupo (polypropelene) paper

Reference:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caul#History_and_tradition

Here's Another Fine Mess I've Gotten Myself Into!

Mg and Gigi

Me

Ok, here's the latest.  Life continues to evolve.   I've been working as an artist for twelve years.  I have a lot of experience and have achieved some great successes with it.  It is an ongoing act of love to continue painting and teaching but I've been looking for some ways to expand my career and supplement that income! As I've looked at various opportunities, I've known that I need to be my own boss.  I like setting my own goals and schedule.  I also need to partner with a progressive, successful company that sells a high quality product. To do that I'm going back to my roots in direct sales.

The company I've found is called Gigi Hill.  It's a handbag company founded in 2009 by two women in the Los Angeles area and is designed with a busy modern lifestyle in mind.  

The bags are practical and beautiful.
You can find my page at:
 www.gigihill.com/mary-gailking.  

It caught the eye of the venture capital firm Maveron as well. Maveron recently invested $3 Million to become a minority shareholder in Gigi Hill.  Maveron was co-founded by Jason Stoffer and Howard Schultz.  Schultz is CEO of Starbucks. There's no other direct sales company like Gigi Hill in the  $9 Billion handbag market so the company fills a niche with huge potential.  To quote the article from Direct Selling News that I link below: 

 "Maveron looks for the brightest entrepreneurs who are in the early to middle stages of developing strong and highly differentiated brands. Other major aspects important to the firm include sound operations, good financial results, and of course, great products."

If you're interested in joining me on this adventure and creating extra income, a fun social outlet, working with fashion forward accessories or all of the above, you can get started for only $79 today!  Just contact me and I'll  show you how.  

I'd also love to come do a show for you.  I'm ready to travel with my new bags so if you can get a show or two scheduled in any part of the country let me know and I'll be there!  ROAD TRIP!

Find my page at:  www.gigihill.com/mary-gailking.  

http://directsellingnews.com/index.php/view/maveron_invests_in_gigi_hill#.UO5zoKVAs21  

Photo:  Candace Biggerstaff  http://www.candacebiggerstaff.com

Yoga and the Power of Commitment

This won't be long because I'm tired, it's late and even though I haven't finished everything I set out to do today (like post next month's class schedule) I need some sleep tonight!  I snuck in late to a yoga class this afternoon where Audrey Waltzer, owner of the Camarillo Yoga Studio was teaching.  It was a bit tricky going straight from the car to a warrior two series of asanas but I was careful and by the end of class I received a beautiful gift from Audrey in the form of the quote below. After hearing it I understood why I was meant to be in the class. 

I've been evaluating goals and setting plans in place for the next year throughout the month of December.  It's exhausting!  I've felt as if I have to push hard to achieve my goals when what I need to do is breathe and trust in the process.  I'm making good choices.  Everything will fall into place at its appointed time. Here's my intention for 2013.  

"But when I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money — booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence. Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!"

William Hutchison Murray, The Scottish Himalaya Expedition (1951)

Photography copyright Steve Gallup