Phase 2: NO Animal Testing

 "Change the hearts of men and you change the culture"- Siddhartha

One of the Cruelty Free symbols

     As we continue our change into green and ethical living Phase 2 is "No Animal Testing". This is something I've always believed in and attempted but now that we make our own purchases we are ultimately in control of all our products. It is not my goal to stir up an discussion or controversy about testing in terms to medical things. Personally I wish they wouldn't test and I keep feeling there must be some other way especially with all of our technology but that's not the focus of this post. This phase is about common day products that are not "needed" and therefor there is no "need" to have animal testing especially when there are non tested options of the same quality and price. Not only do I think of animal testing as vile, and unethical but I question how people can live with their furry friends and not feel guilty for using a product that their "cousin" suffered and died for. It's a bit of a smack in the face and we just can't stand for that.

Most Common Cruelty Free Symbol

     To find out what is and isn't tested you can easily look up products on a database here: http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/search.aspx?Testing=1&Range=1 . Now as you see the database is associated with PETA. Here is my disclaimer: PETA can be extreme-in NO way am I suggesting you support, donate or subscribe to them. I certainly don't. I am saying however that they have a very nifty database of all the companies that test, that don't test and those who are changing policies to not test. That being said just think of it as a tool. Now that I have made my disclaimer, it was an incredibly useful tool because I literally found the manufacturer, looked it up and definitively had an answer. Any products from companies that test received a blue dot on them and will be phased out like the chemical products from the previous post. Also more and more companies are clearly printing"Not Tested On Animals" or they put the heart/bunny symbol to signify the same thing. So keep an eye out for these markers.
     There are 2 critical things to remember. First companies do change policies. For instance ALMAY didn't test when I was in high school. Now since Revelon bought them they do and vice versa for Colgate-Palmolive. The second thing is sadly there are massive corporations that create an umbrella effect and by supporting a tributary you support the main source. Some company giants such as Proctor & Gamble, Clorox, Johnson&Johnson, SC Johnson and Gillette all test. When you start looking at the distributors of your products you will realize how many smaller companies, (such as Johnson & Johnson owning Neutragenia) are under their umbrella. Support of any of those companies supports the giant that tests. The other aspect is that regardless of the product all the funds go to support the same source so even though they are not testing feminine hygiene products on puppies that money supports that action. Therefor by association those products are eliminated as well since to bring attention to this evil they will only notice a drop in dollar signs. To bring change the corporations' financing must receive a hit and those companies who do not test deserve a boost.

"Please DON'T let my cousin be tested on!"

     You may be thinking, "Well what am I supposed to use then?". That database also lists companies by product type of those who do NOT test so you can always look up options there.Once you know the good and bad "parent" companies you can judge primarily with that.There are also apps for your your phone to be convenient when you're out and about. Fortunately we live in a world where there is a plethora of options and there's this new fangeled thing called the Internet.The best thing is the NON tested products don't cost any more and work just as well

      If you have questions or what help in the change contact me and I'd be more than willing. Also as a side note please do not send, give or purchase anything for us under the companies that test because we cannot use them

Clean Living

"You do not inherit this world but instead it is loaned to you by your grandchildren"

    Those of you who know Danny & I know we really try to live clean, eat good food and live ethically respecting the precious world we've been blessed with while staying healthy and sane. The thing is it is very easy to have a belief and preach and a whole different thing to implement those beliefs entirely. It's not right of us to say one thing and only sort-a , kind-a do it. Well as of now that's no more. We are starting a clean sweep and plan do so in phases.

     So phase 1: Eliminate all toxic products. No we don't have an unventilated photo studio or open canisters of ammonia but some of the everyday products that everyone has contain chemicals that are almost as bad and unless you are a chemist or have an incredible memory for words good luck reading the back of the label to decipher it. So basically the 2 aspects we are looking at is the "Paraben Level" and the "Toxic Chemical Environmental Impact Level". Some studies say that the parabens and toxic levels cause things : asthma, migraines, nosebleeds, nausea, infertility, cancer and shortened lifespan. Of course there are other studies out there that say this is being over exaggerated. However what I have found after doing some research is that even if people claim it's being over exaggerated they do raise your risk and they are without a doubt bad for the environment when they go down the drain and eventually into the water. So, why not use something that not harmful, that's good for the planet and just in case lessens our risk. It certainly can't hurt.

     There is of course a safe level that is basically unavoidable unless you decide to start making your own products...which I'm not. The "Paraben Level" is on a 0-10 scale, 0 being good and 10 being deadly toxic. Anything that is a 4 or below is safe unless you have certain illnesses such as cancer running in your family then obviously lower if you can. The "Toxic Chemical Environmental Impact Level" is based on a  1-10 scale but this time the 10 means "best impact" and 1 means"worst impact". A safe level is a 7 or above. We went through all of our products, (cleaning, makeup, hair, etc) and found their levels. Anything we have that's not in the safe zone is getting phased out. By this I mean we will use the remaining amount ( because I refuse to waste product and money) and then never buy this item again. All new items purchased will follow this guideline. We actually only have to trade out a few things such as using aloe lotion instead of gel and finding a new laundry detergent along with a few other things.

     Now if I've gotten you a bit paranoid about what toxins may be lurking in your cabinet don't worry there's resources to check your products against. To find the "Paraben Level" go to http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ . For the "Toxic Chemical Environment Impact" visit http://www.goodguide.com/products . Remember you must really look it up based on each individual product and not the brand name because it varies greatly. If you are disposing of toxic materials please take them to the proper dumping location where they can be recycled or disposed of safely. If you don't know of a location it can be found at http://search.earth911.com/ . If you'd like more information about home made recipes, this clean movement of the documentary that spurred it all visit www.chemicalnation.com. Stay tuned for phase 2 as we proceed to make our little world a bit cleaner.

Paul Mitchell

     If you are friends with me via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram then you likely saw my announcement about enrolling in Paul Mitchell. For those of you who knew this was coming, well now it's public. For those of you who had no idea or perhaps are confused let me explain here and now so you understand without me answering the same questions 50 times over. For any skeptical people or negative nancy's - be quiet, no one wants to hear it.
     Danny and I have been discussing this on and off for a while now, in fact for about 1 year and a half. It just never seemed like the right timing, we weren't sure, excuses and therefor it kept getting shoved in a corner. The thing though is that it kept circling back to. Those of you who know us know we take stock in something like this. So we talked, looked at logistics and options along with what this could do for our future and obviously we decided yes. Thus I am enrolled. Classes begin June 4th,  Tues-Sat 9:30-5 for 10 months. At the end after I take my board I am certified in Cosmetology, (which no, its not JUST hair) and will have many important connections with a stellar name backing me such as Paul Mitchell.
     What does this mean career wise? Well first off, my art is not dead, dying or even whimpering. My personal work will always continue and there is no reason to think otherwise. This is not a completely new direction. If you were on a road it'd be more like veering left instead of a hard left. With my BA in Studio Art and minor in business this additional education will set me up perfectly to one day be a creative director. This means I could work the run way, fundraisers, hair shows and be in/near the same circles as John Paul and Angus Mitchell themselves. Along the way in case you didn't already know Cosmetologists can make good pay. Pay that we can put towards a house that can pay for our historic and classy taste that requires a pretty penny. It's a creative yet structured option that has measurable accomplishments and is a competitive atmosphere while still being flexible.
     I believe in opportunity, signs and interactions. To me these things shape our lives. There is never one path and there is never a wrong path. Success is what you make of it, as are your choices.

The Fox

     Previously I mentioned briefly that there was an upcoming contest that I was taking part in. It is the Second Skin contest in which artists are challenged to create a mask or "second skin" entirely out of paper with decorative mixed media permissible. I decided to create a fox mask. A literal transformation of my 2-D illustrations.
     This piece started as nothing but materials on the floor. The entire shape came from nothing. Beyond the shape there was the development of texture to look like tussled fur and the most time consuming portions was painting the face. It is a combination of many different layers, shades, pen work  and touch ups. In all this close to 80 hours of work. I can only help that it does well and I think I may revisit some mask making. It won't become a predominant medium by any means but a mask here or there could be a nice variation.
      You may be asking why a fox? I believe that things in nature resemble humanity, it's just pure and we could really take a lesson from it. THis even includes its inhabitants as they often behave in human like ways. In my work they always are part of minor, mundane actions or human emotion. They are characters as are we. However why so much emphasis on a fox? I chose a fox because I feel they are one of the most humanistic creatures. They have families, homes, quirks, patterns, play and personality. They are loving and sly; quick witted and mischievous. Watch there mannerisms and similarities emerge. As humans we often hid the trueness of our identity including everything from a complex dynamic to the most primal characteristics. I can relate to their purity and rawness of their essential personality. It’s something to be valued and thus I have donned a mask that instead of hiding my face reveals a primal purity.

 

Button Bonanza!

      The beauty of prints and illustrations is that they can nestle their way into essentially any physical shape and make new mediums their home. Illustrations are viable to our personalities and applicable to our every day lives. Using this thought it dawned upon me, "Why not buttons?". As there is no evident rebuttal I pursued forward and now a bit of a button bonanza has commenced.
     I learned the process of creating buttons which was actually not nearly as complicated as I had once assumed. It's actually rather therapeutic and i must force myself to resist making all my buttons at once simply out of neurotic repetition. Each button is hand illustrated and thus far I have 5 different fabrics. I had purchase parts to create 25 buttons so my thought was create  1 of each fabric blank and create 1 of each fabric with the illustration on it that I feel suites it best. All of these illustrations are still congruent with my theme and other artwork. It's literally wearable artwork that can accompany you every day. I presented the work this way so that if individuals like what they see then those buttons are ready for them. They also have the option to mix and match the fabrics and pre-presented illustrations. Finally as well there is always custom. I am always willing to design something uniquely just for them. I think everyone has a bit of a creative spirit but that doesn't mean they were given a gift to materialize those thoughts into product. This is where I come in.
     Buttons, as related to my work as they may be are slightly a different route and people may wonder why this. Simply I was curious what it would be like and whether I would enjoy their creation. I think it could be a wonderful avenue and if it doesn't hold up to quite that then it's only a diversion of a bit of time and materials while still not being a loss. If you are interested in these buttons you can always visit my Etsy shop ArdentPrints or simply follow this link http://www.etsy.com/listing/124308681/hand-illustrated-buttons-you-choose-your? . Enjoy, pass the word and remember custom is always an option.

Blog Talk Radio

    Remember that interview from back in November? Well that interview has been recorded, edited and officially aired! It was a great opportunity that I am so incredibly grateful for. I'd like to share my experience and it's publication with all of you.

     I've been waiting for official notice of the interview's publication and needless to say I was overjoyed when I received it. It seems a bit surreal to think that there is indeed a professional interview out there on Blog Talk Radio, You Tube & iTunes. It was officially aired in the beginning of December. Since then it has received over 2,000 hits! Not only do I think this is great but even CAGO (Contemporary Art Gallery Online)  thinks it is fantastic by their standards. If you'd like to listen to it you can search cagomedia on iTunes and look for my name or simply go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cagmedia/2012/12/08/an-artist-speaks-interview-with-guest-mark-mcdonnell .

     Thank you all for the support and as I said previously I am so grateful for this opportunity. I can only think it is a step in the right direction. Lets hope there are more stepping stones that way.  Enjoy the interview!

New Year

     It's 2013 which means a few things: 1)We survived the apocolypse! (Sorry Mayans and Doomsdayers). 2) New Art listings to compete 3) A goal to increase etsy activity. A new year is a time for new goals. Look through the old, constructively review and honestly de-clutter with beneficial targets in sight. Honestly it should be "New Year Cleaning" instead of spring cleaning as there is nothing of monumental change with a gradual waning of seasons opposed to a definitive alteration in the calendar year.

     The Mayan calendar needs not to be dwelled upon as it clearly never came to be . If you wish to argue this thought simply look scientifically at the translation from the Mayan calendar to the Gregorian Calendar and you will see your error. However I would like to speak for my upcoming year, the goals and some serious hopes. When it comes to showing my artwork there are always galleries, competitions, publications and shows. They are always out there it is just a matter of finding them which I intend to do. I think it is ultimately important to weigh out the options between which shows are the most beneficial; which competitions best showcase my work; which publications create the greatest opportunities. There are already some dates penciled into my calendar. One seemingly perfect for my style and medium is the LA Printmakers show which is just as the title would suggest : an art competition based in LA specifically designed for printmakers. It would be a phenomenal opportunity as it could gain recognition in my field and it is moderately local. The other competition I am eagerly awaiting is a 2nd Skin Competition where the goal is to create a mask of which describes your "2nd Skin" . My mask is in the works as we speak but I will wait and speak more of it later as I believe it will be so spectacular that it deserves its own due.

     The other aspect of this upcoming year focuses on my Etsy shop ArdentPrints. Within the past year it has done quite well, especially for just starting. In the latter half of the year it became clear there was an increase in views, favorites and sales. I want to keep this momentum rolling into this year. I'd like to at least double my sales this year and it seems to be an obtainable goal. I have focused on all aspects of my shop and have even considered other areas such as button but expanding to that venue still seems questionable. Regardless of the new materials I may consider I will still always stay with my tried and true. Though mostly I want to expand my exposure and my followers because they are the ones who promote my doings and make the sales. It's a goal to find new, captivating ways to generate followers and increase marketing.

      This year holds new opportunities and I intended to seize them with a ferocity. It has the chance for growth and the next step. There is so much potential that exists in the world and I can't see any plausible reason why not to attempt to gain such notification. As time goes on I will post of what new opportunities I have came across and I can only hope you spread the word of my activity and of ArdentPrints.