⭒⭐ ⋆ ​ｂｌｏｇ ⋆ ⭐​⭒

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Happy Monday !!!

This week I started a new Chuck e Cheese project. It’s a paper mache replica of a logo from their “bowler hat chuck” era. I’ve been using junk mail, glossy mod podge, and glue on cardboard. I love the process of carving out the details in the paper and paste. It almost feels like clay the more layered the piece gets. 

my plan is to keep building layers until i like it's shape, then to add color with maybe acrylic paint? I considered spray paint, but the control of hand-painting just feels right. 

As far as painting goes, I started and made progress on some projects.

Some of these are super rough and were just an exercise in getting the idea on canvas. 

The first, Niphetos is inspired by a scene in the Twilight Zone episode “The Piano”. The episode is one of my favorites, and the scene alone always breaks my heart. I’ve wanted to make paint something in its memory for a while, and I’m glad I am now. 


The second, I want to be an homage of sorts to my appreciation for quarter machines. More gum, candy, chewing lips, and toys to be added.

The third is a half-painted doodle.

The fourth and fifth are older pieces I keep re visiting but can't seem to full -send into calling them finished. The 4th is untitled still, but the dog in the puffy collar is "Eugene"

Also, I'm nearly finished with the untitled childhood art piece. I added some little details to the borders and between art in the background. I still need to add a white gradient and touch up some of the doodles. I feel like I should add more detail to the character in the center, but almost like how simple it is. I don't know yet.

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ᴺᵉˣᵗ ʷᵉᵉᵏ: ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᶜᴱᶜ ᵖʳᵒʲᵉᶜᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃⁿᵛᵃˢ ᵂᴵᴾˢ.

I’ve loved working on this new paper mache project so much, I’ll probably continue working on it in my down time. I don’t know if I’ll be able to finish it, but I won’t give it a hard deadline. 

I’ll spend remaining time on works in progress.

That’s all for now


Thanks for stopping by

X-O-X-O-X-O-X-O

KENZ

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Hello again

I hope the week has taken good care of you <3

My last week: more progress on a few traditional pieces! 

For the first (still untitled)- the plan is to build on more color and doodles and eventually add a white gradient off outline.



The plan for the second (also unnamed) is just to keep building. Trying not to get too overwhelmed with the project (⸝⸝๑﹏๑⸝⸝)

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Also, thinking i'll refine this page of doodles and maybe scale it up?

Trying to not start a bunch of projects only to finish none of them, but I'm trying to work with momentum

ᴺᵉˣᵗ ʷᵉᵉᵏ: ᴴᵃˡˡᵒʷᵉᵉⁿ ᶜᵒˢᵗᵘᵐᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʳᵃᵈⁱᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃˡ ᵃʳᵗ

So, Liam and i have a few different ideas for Halloween costumes this year! We plan to DIY and dress up throughout October. A few ensembles are going to require a bit of searching, but hopefully I can put a few together with the time I've got. I'll post updates when parts become more cohesive.


Other than that, more painting and another look at my goal list and make a plan ( x __ x )


thanks f0r st0pping by


X0X0X0X0


-kenz

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good evening <3

I spent most of last week working on a paper doll outline

This is “Marianne”

I like how she turned out overall :-) the current outline is in pencil, but I made a copy to cut up and test. I used colored pencil for her clothes. Accessories and apparel are supposed to be secured by the black and white tabs. I found that a few garments were cut a little small, and I’d need to re-draw the stand, but it wasn’t a bad first attempt. I may make her a little bigger for ease in cutting her from the paper.

I also debated whether to leave her as a bit of line-art or add color to her complete outline. I kind of like the idea of being able to customize her completely.


I figured if I liked the turnout once she’s done, maybe I’d work on more dolls with different names and outfits. I’m considering putting more work into it this week if I have some time. 

I also did a little doodling in my down time. Hoping to do a little drawing every night - even if it's not great, even if it's brief <3

next week: maybe work on paper dolls? also probably some painting

I'm finally feeling a little motivation to work on some canvas works in progress, so I'll probably do some painting. Maybe re-size and print a new, better copy of Marianne.

I need to revisit my goal list "(っ- ‸ - ς)ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁


thanks for stopping by

X!! O!! X!! O!!

- kenzi

p. s. here are some glimpses into my brief trip to Joshua ₊˚⊹☆

p.p.s there are a few little spooky additions to the stay a while page - check it out, scaredy cats .˚⊹.🎃₊˚𖦹⋆

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Hey! The site went through a pretty big migration and posting was finicky so I figured I’d skip a week. I missed you <3

I recently got these really pretty buttons from the discount store and have been putting them to good use. I added some to hair clips, and made a few into pendants and necklaces. I’ll probably sew some to some bags or shirts of mine too. 

I also stamped a few personal projects <3

Next week: paper dolls & maybe more

I want to work on something that isn’t painting or clothes for a bit so I’m going to pick up another project. It’s likely I’ll also be busy and out of the house a few days next week, so ideally nothing too lengthy. I’ve wanted to make paper fashion dolls for a while now so maybe I’ll make a mock-up for one. I made a loose outline of a model and some outfits so maybe I can put something together by the end of the week. 

I also might start a new chuck e cheese project if I can find the motivation.

we'll see


Additionally, there 's some new stuff on the stay a while page too, check it out if you’d like :-)


til then

thanks for stopping by

XOXOXOXO


__ benzie

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Happy Tuesday evening and hello to a short, boring, and belated blog post.
​Last week was a long one and I have very little to show for it. I did end up taking a long walk to my mom’s and retrieved just a few new bits of childhood art I might add to my canvas project. 
Next week: I’ll probably paint some more. I don’t know
I’m going to take another long walk and probably plan the rest of this week better than I did the last. Maybe I should draw every day again. Maybe I need a new project. Maybe I need to paint outside.
I don’t know
​
Thanks for stopping by
xo
benz
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​Happy Monday evening <3
Okay so I got a bit less done than usual these last few days x-x it was a busy week for me outside of art. I grabbed a few projects that need revisiting and outlined some new pieces. 
First and fourth are untitled for now. 
The second is "Eugene" - Acrylic paint on a stretched canvas. 
The third is "Jo Marie Payton as Harriet Winslow" - Acrylic paint on a stretched canvas. I want to add more dimension to her face, but I based this one off a picture, and can't find the original D: I'll look through pictures and hopefully I run across it. 
Will probably work on these and a more if I can this week.
I also named and varnished the paintings from last week, updated my online gallery & have started preparing the site refresh for the new month which is always fun :-) Keep an eye out for new stuff on the stay a while page too :-)
next week: final week of traditional projects (?) and jewelry? ​
​I’ll probably work on a few different things at once this upcoming week. I want to keep working on my current projects and if I have some time probably work on wearables, etc. again. I have some personal jewelry projects that need altering, and a few charms I’ve been meaning to repurpose. I also kind of felt like stamping a few things in my closet again... . . . . . ... . . . maybe i work on more apparel? I don't know <3

I think that's all I have for now :)

thanks for stopping by <3
i appreciate you !!!

XOXOXOXOXOXO
benzi
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Okay, so I have to share this with you guys.

My blog posts & stay a while page are a testament to my appreciation for glitter graphics. I joined early in the 2000s and loved sourcing new stuff for my then current myspace page <3

For my most recent blog post i was thinking of adding a graphic of my name under my signature, and decided to look for one there. My name didn't give me a lot of results, but I did recognize just a few..... I follow the creator's user and it was me!!!! I made them!! I not only found my account, but all of the graphics made under it. 

Below are some archival screenshots I just took of my glitter graphics account at age 11, as well as some of the graphics I made (featuring names of a few friends I'm still close with <3)
Feeling honored, humbled, and also like I am quintessentially the same me I've always been :,0 I mean my likes literally include twilight zone and Godzilla. I was also a self-described Atheist and Bi-sexual. It's like some things never change <3

anyways, I hope you appreciate this little look into my past 
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Happy Monday !!
I’ve been painting all last week. A lot of progress to go still, but I think I’m going to consider two more pieces from the pile finished.

The first is “it’s such a perfect day” – acrylic paint, pen, pencil, chalk pastel, and fabric on 16x20 stretched canvas.

​
The second is untitled for now, but is acrylic paint, pencil, pen, crayon, chalk pastel, and Swarovski crystals on 12x16 stretched canvas.
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​I’m not really good at wrapping up projects. Maybe it’s just a lot of overthinking, I don’t know. I do like how these look currently, though. I don’t paint food a lot, but I’d love to get better with realism/textures. I’ve had this idea about a series of individual cake/dessert paintings I’ve wanted to do since I went to a Makino sushi and visited their dessert bar.  (Their Orange county location is closed, but if you’re in vegas you’re in luck :,0) 
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Anyway, the other pieces I put time into this week are still works in progress. I’m hitting a wall with a few of them, but think I have a better idea about the direction I’ll be taking them in. 
Next week: painting/ drawing week #2
​I have plans to have a few more projects finished by the end of this upcoming week. I don’t have much to share about them just yet. For that untitled piece with all of my childhood art, I hope to gather more early artwork from my mom’s place to add to the canvas.
I’ll be back with more progress and more completed pieces.
keeping it short & sweet !!

Thanks for stopping by <3
X O  X O  XO  XO
​
- kenzie 
​
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​Happpppy tuesday everyone
​
​Belated entry today because it’s been a long week. Basically, I scrapped the plan to work on any remaining apparel. Instead, I spent every day painting. It started with the initial big canvas project I’ve been working on, then just became a full week of working on any WIP from the pile. I finished just one completely: “Everything is going great and in the end one realizes that it's not going at all” – acrylic and pencil on 16x20 stretched canvas. 
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​Most of the other projects are still in progress, but I’m glad I spent the week working on them. I like to pour my time into every medium, but painting and drawing feels different - I think I feel most connected to the work. Maybe it’s because it was one of my earliest ways to express myself artistically. The act of painting is also just kind of super satisfying to me, even when a piece doesn’t work out exactly how I like it to. I like the impermanence of the process, and I like to work in layers. I spent these last few days trying to build these pre-existing paintings into something I appreciate better. trying to keep in mind my ability to just paint over and re-work the original plan. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with choice and just end up avoiding the canvas for a while. I’m hoping to stop overthinking it. My work is pretty unserious as it is. 
​​Also, the chuck e cheese project is on the back burner! It’s not first priority right now, and since my initial excitement, then re-direction of the plans, I now want to work on probably 3 projects all relating to fictional, animatronic bands. It’s in my mind’s eye and it will happen eventually. I wish i could do everything all the time.
​Next week: I’m just gonna keep painting
​I have the canvases out, and lined up in my living room, so why not? I also am realizing I haven’t really made any effort to practice anatomy drawing the way I’ve wanted. I’ll pick up my figure studies book and maybe practice a bit. It probably won’t change my characters from having obscene proportions, but at least I’ll know how to draw someone who doesn’t : )
More progress/paintings next week too. 

thank you thank you for stopping by  <3
x o x o x o x o

- the little kenzie that could 
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happy monday evening! 
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I made progress on the big canvas this week!
​
I had to do a lot of shifting elements around, and only put a little color on the canvas, but It kind of feels like it’s rounding out. I’m really enjoying the project, but I’m having some mixed feelings. I can’t put my finger on why it is, but I’m not feeling a sense of fulfillment with the piece right now. Maybe I’ll enjoy the process and its outcome more when I start adding more detail. I guess time will tell.

​All in the name of design appreciation x__X

​
​I also disassembled that pile of jewelry! I hadn’t fully gone through all the pieces I’ve made these last few years and it felt so worthwhile. Re-visiting some of my favorites and even some of my least favorites was inspiring. There are definitely a handful of charms I hope to repurpose for projects in the near future, the rest will be stored with supplies until I find use for them too <3 ​
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​Next week: a little of everything??
I have a few loose ends that need tying, as well as the canvas WIP I want to spend more time on. So here’s the plan: 
1.  work on big untitled project (as much progress as possible)

2. Finish bleach projects! I finally got a bleach spray bottle and plan to use it to transfer stencils onto some black shirts. I’ve never applied bleach this way, so I’m hoping it comes out how I hope it does. Either way- new thing, so worthwhile to try (:

3. work out the details of the Chuck e Cheese side project? I think I got a little overzealous about the possibilities of the project, and am now trying to think a little more reasonably about its the feasible outcomes. I initially wanted to make a full portrait-style animatronic bust (non-functional) but then remembered the reality of that model comes with FUR!!! I’d have to get my hands on some ratty grey fur for a ratty old rat in a bowler hat holding a cigar. Now, I don’t have a problem with that- I just think I have to work my way up to that, and for now, start more simply. There will always be more time for chuck e cheese side projects. So now, I’m considering making an homage to “The wink”: a small Chuck E emblem that sits just over some show stages. Once the performance is over and the curtain drops, the emblematic mouse winks! I love him. I’m considering that, or maybe just something else to honor the rat. There’s a lot of CEC art that exists to inspire- or maybe I do something completely my own style, with just the influence of Chuck in mind. I guess time will tell with this project too.
I’ll be sure to share next week
 
Thank you for stopping by!! So much
XXXOOOXXXOOO
​
-Mackenzie mozzarella ​
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good afternoon & happy tuesday !
wrapping up a week of wearables! most stuff is still curing/being ran through the wash so i don't have much to share as far as clothed go- maybe i'll share those wrapped up pieces in a future post ✧*
​
It’s fun to work on apparel. It can be kind of an unforgiving medium, but it’s cool to be able to wear your art. Of course, i didn't finish every piece in the pile, but I'll be back to working on clothes before I know it. 

​​I also finished a few stamps- some of the ones I mentioned in my last post, as well as a few others. I like how they turned out and anticipate using them in future projects <3​
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ᑎE᙭T ᗯEEK: collage, canvases, and etc. .. . .. . .. .. .. ..
​After weeks of working on wearable projects, I honestly can’t wait to get back to working on other traditional pieces. I have plans to completely finish some collages with handmade borders. I considered a few of these finished before, but the more I looked at them, the less finished they felt. I have some ideas though- I’ll probably use shrink plastic and maybe some fabric. I still never got around to taking apart those old jewelry pieces, so I’ll probably do that busy work and start new pieces all together. I’ll share progress on those next week- I think I’ll be able to finish them ^^
​Additionally, I can’t wait to put more time into working on my last large canvas piece (still untitled). I’m still messing with the layout, but I’m really excited to move past setup and actually put color on canvas. It's not much to look at now- will hopefully have more worthwhile pictures to share next week. <3
​​
Also, I don’t know if it’s worth sharing just yet, but I have another new project in mind. I loved making the paper mache cat head for my kitchen so much, I want to start on something new.. . . something chuck e cheese related.  (specifically 1970's Chuck e cheese portrait style animatronic). Thing about me #2: I like Chuck e cheese. I may have shared that before, or maybe not I don’t remember. 

anyway
​til next time

thank you for stopping by and looking all cute while doing so
x o  ox oxo o xo xoox oxoxo  o xooxoo   oxox ox ox o

- kenzie
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Good evening and happy Monday
 I spent so much time on apparel this week :-)
a few little highlights below... . . .. . . ..  ....
As for the stamps, I have outlines transferred onto carving linoleum but didn’t have time to carve yet.  I also didn't get a chance to disassemble jewelry pieces like i had wanted, but should have time this week.
next week: more wearables (!!!) & adjacent projects
​Okay yeah I’m going to spend another week working on apparel. My stamps and markers are out, and I’m kind of motivated to see these through, so I’m just going to keep the pace. 
As mentioned, I didn’t get to spend any time carving stamps, so I’ll start on those when I get a second. I didn’t have many original designs in mind this time around- most of them are designs from quarter machine toy lines I like to collect: Urbanzees and blockheads. I had a few during my peak quarter machine days as a youngin, and still see and purchase them when I visit machines I like to frequent today. ((I don’t mention it like I want to, but I’m a strong appreciator of quarter machine/ small toys in general. Maybe someday I’ll do a little trinket tour that no one asked for.))

​
I’m also doing a few designs from 2 of my favorite aquapets: Kadet & Bunni. Also a fun childhood staple of mine, just thought it’d be cool to have them as stamps
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I guess since I’m already working on these, I’ll probably work on some original designs as well.
Can’t wait to finally wrap up this saga of clothing projects (for now). I’m sure I’ll have plenty to share with you next time.

I hope you’re taking care of yourself
Thanks for stopping by
 
xoxoXOXOXOXOOXXOO
-ken zie
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Happy Tuesday!
Belated post this week because I kept pretty busy yesterday and all of last week. Lots of new clothes, with still so much to work on. I’ll share just a few highlights ... . . .. .. . .. . .
A variety of both personal and die laughing projects. I’m really excited to get the apparel cured and worn. I also bleach tested a few pieces I haven’t started on yet and I’m excited to see what becomes of those. I love working on clothes, everything just takes longer. I plan the best I can, but still, my decisions have more permanence because the pieces are usually 1 of 1. There’s just more to consider with wearable stuff- the fit and material make all the difference in the outcome, and I just want them to come to fruition how I’d like. I like these though, and I’m having fun, so these won't be the last pieces you’ll see!
ₙₑₓₜ wₑₑₖ: last week of apparel/ apparel adjacent projects
Okok so despite everything I got done, it wasn’t everything I wanted to finish. I still have pieces that need work and I feel like an additional week would make the difference, so that’s the plan for this upcoming week.
As far as adjacent projects, I think I’ll start on some stamps I was hoping to incorporate into future projects (mostly apparel)
I also want to spend a day taking apart and re-purposing some older jewelry projects of mine. It shouldn’t take too long and they’ve just been sitting, so I figure I’ll spend some time of them. I haven’t made new jewelry in a while, so maybe the pieces will inspire me.
 
I hope something inspires you this week

Thanks for stopping by
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo xoxoxo xoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

- ken-zee
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Happy Monday !!
​I’ve had a fun week! I took a lot of walks and worked on a lot of projects <3
​First off, I finished the paper mache cat head décor and food accessories I was working on :)

​​I love how everything turned out so much. Idk I may refine the food pieces if I have a second, or even make a 4th food just to balance it out, but I’m happy with her. The practice I got making this definitely gave me some fun ideas for future sculptures/paper mache pieces- I can see myself working on another, or even just outlining some ideas really soon.
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After wrapping up the cat head project, I did just a bit of stamping/drawing on some current projects. My last water soluble marker dried up on me, so I’ll be working on outlining and designing once I get more in the mail this weekend.
this was all that felt worthwhile to share so far, but i have a lot planned after i get some new markers. These are all personal projects, but have some Die laughing projects in the WIP stack too, so those will make an appearance next week as well :)
ₙₑₓₜ wₑₑₖ: part 2 of apparel projects
​I’ll be stamping, doodling, bleaching and spray painting this week. Fingers crossed I finish the pile.
there's always more to work on
i'll keep it short & sweet

thanks for stopping by
kisses & hugs
​
kenzie
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happy monday & first of the month! : )
​I have a few projects to share. I was able to stay consistent this week and got a lot finished, or very near so. The WIP box is kind of right where I want it right now- most of what’s left is going to need some extra brainstorming and attention so I’m officially putting it on the back burner!!  
​I also started and nearly finished something entirely new I’ve had my mind for some time. I haven’t done anything paper mache in a while and thought it’d be fun, so I got to work on a little side project. I think I mentioned it previously but I had a spot on my kitchen wall I wanted filled and figured I’d make something to fit the space. I initially wanted to work on a plaque and use atomic-style cats as inspo but opted for a paper mache cat head in this case instead. She’s of course reminiscent of my sweet senior, pina <3 

​She’s not totally finished- I definitely need to smooth over some rough edges and do more painting but i like how she's turning out. I didn’t really take progress pictures so this’ll be a look at the rough draft before completion. Once the head’s done I plan to make a small tomato, sausage and sardine to sit on the wall just to the left of her. I think she’s cute and like how large I made her eyes. I think I like my little crafts this week. 
The next 2 weeks: all wearables
I’m feeling relatively capable after a week of working on projects every day, so I think I’ll spend the next few weeks going through another big stack of projects. I have apparel (personal projects and otherwise) I really want to spend time on. I need to work on planning, hand-drawing, spray-painting and some stamping so I’ll probably assign a day for each task so I don’t feel rushed. 
Hopefully I’m as motivated with these projects as I was with last week’s 

p.s. new stuff on the stay a while page <3

Thanks, as always, for stopping by 
xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxooxoxooxoxox
xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

- kenzie ♡
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happy tuesday
​I only ended up working on a few small sewing tasks this week. I like when I get into a rhythm when stitching, but it got tiresome quickly when the threads would tangle up. I mostly added small details to existing pieces and cut some felt for projects that needed it. I also sketched up a few outlines i want to use for future plushes, i just didn't get the chance to print them. I may re-visit these next week if I get a second.
I also spent time doodling a bit & spent some more time planning the big painting. I think it’s something I need to do on a daily basis again. New ideas felt so much easier to tackle when I spent more of my time drawing. The last sketchbook I’d carry around filled up quick, and I haven’t gotten another since – I think I’ll change that.
​Next week’s projects: traditional art, WIP box, and sewing (?)
I’ve been thinking about painting often this week. I think I’ll work on the new big canvas and a few others if I get a chance after work. I want to spend more time cutting into my pile of half-finished wood-panel collages, etc. It’s getting so close to done, some just need so much more time than others. I want the work that comes after this week to come from newer ideas. It's fun finishing these projects i never saw to completion, but I'm wanting to spend less time on crafty pieces. I'll still work on them occasionally, but my mind has really been on painting and elevating my abilities in hand-drawing. It's where I started, and where i think my interest mostly lie. 
So plan is to finish what lingering projects I can, and spend next week working on new projects and ideas.
I'll do my best and see u next week  

thanks for stopping by this kind of confused blog post
xoxoxo
​kenz 
p.s I’ll be updating the site and the stay a while page for June in these next few days, so check that out if you’d like <3

p.p.s with summer around the corner I think of this song often. It makes me feel like anything is possible
ok bye <3
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I'm back !! ^^
I had a lovely time on my trip! I visited Maine, New Hampshire and Michigan. The change in scenery was super inspiring. I loved to see rolling hills and saturated trees- it was a pretty sight everywhere we went.

Some recommendations from my travels (In the Portland, ME & Rindge, NH & Detroit, MI area)
- Portland museum of art was so fantastic. I visited on a Friday evening, which was perfect because entry is free from 4-8 pm! I got far more than I expected from my visit: 3 stories worth of captivating work from an array of mediums. They even have a little cafe downstairs  : )
- I got an Ube dream from Matcha mood and it was heavenly. I wish I could've tried everything on the menu, i'm sure all of it would've been just my taste <3 Super cute storefront, great service and a fantastic drink. 
- For dinner I ate at The Porthole and had a lobster roll and it was fantastic. Seating on the water and dinner was too good. would go again. 
- I experienced sunshine and blue skies most of the trip until this destination. I got the full gloomy and windy experience at the Portland headlight. I went when pretty much everything was closed, but it was worth it for the views. I rolled down a grass hill. would go again.
- I knew I'd be recommending this before even going, but the Cryptozoology museum was a such a good time.  Lots of lore and fun artifacts. I fell in love with big foot. 

-For lunch during my brief visit to New Hampshire I stopped by Emma's 321 Pub and Kitchen and had the Beet salad and fried goat cheese balls - it was the best salad I've had in a while. Cozy atmosphere and was seated in a room overlooking the nearby wood and creek. Just outside is bridge leading over the water. would totally go back.

- I had been to The Motown museum once before in probably 2012-14? It was a great experience before and it was this time too! Such a a beautiful setup all done in efforts for the preservation of the label's rich history and cultural importance. I truly can't believe how much of this chunk of history still exists. My group's tour guide was so great and it's clear that love and appreciation serves as a foundation to this exhibit and experience. 
thιs wᥱᥱk's ρrojᥱᥴts: sewing projects / dolls
​I’m changing gear! I did some tidying when I first got back and realized just how many sewing projects I never got to finish. Lots of small dolls and plushies-  I think most of them should be pretty straight forward and I should be able to finish most, if not all during the week. Most of their elements are cut, and just require a simple stitch.
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With this week’s project plans I’m really thinking of how I went through a felt doll-making phase in middle school. I’m vaguely remembering one I did with a black dress, long black hair and button eyes. I wish I had taken more pictures from that era, I think they were pretty cute projects. During this time, I learned a lot from the book “Cute book” by Aranzi Aronzo. I checked it out often from my local library. Below are some examples of the style.
They contain a lot of super cute tutorials and a lot of helpful techniques for hand-stitching projects. I think most of the basics i know i picked up from these. The characters featured are also super cute : )
I’ve also been thinking more about learning to use a sewing machine lately. I have a few articles of clothing I plan to draw on and embellish, but I’d love to sew alterations for some too. I'm sure i mentioned this already. Maybe a sturdy, entry-level friendly, second-hand sewing machine is (or should be) in my future?

thanks for stopping by and thanks for the welcome back hug
xooooooxooooooxoooooooooooo
​
- mac <3
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happy monday y y y
​I made progress on the new painting. I’ve been spending most of my time on it- it’s a larger canvas and has a lot more visual elements I’m still trying to put together, so it’s required a lot of planning. I’m using washi tape as placeholders for the parts to come. It definitely makes the arranging pretty straight forward, especially if I end up moving things. 
​I don’t expect to commit fully to realism- I’ll most likely mingle elements of surrealism as well.
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​Of course, like clockwork, my attention feels split between my current hopeful project that barely exists, and a new one that doesn’t really exist at all. This nonexistent project doesn’t even really have a basis yet, I think I’m just feeling extra inspired by this and that. I won’t go into detail now, but I’ll work on some outlines while I’m out of town these next few days. Maybe the start of another new project ​¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This week I also got the chance to finish up a personal tee shirt project. (ignore the cat hair) Letters were stamped, then painted with bleach. Enjoy and watch the video it’s based on if you hadn't already.
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​Also speaking of wearables, in case you’ were curious about the purse I was working on: it’s been finished and is in the right hands <3 Maybe this'll be my motivation to tackle my stack of blank purses once I'm back :)
i'll see u week after next 

​Thanks for stopping by
X o oxoxo ox
kenz
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H a p p y   M o n d a y   : )
​I’ve been working on the big painting project I mentioned last week. I don’t have too much to share as far as my feelings or thoughts on the piece, so I’ll just drop a picture of the progress so far. I had to move some elements after the fact so I didn’t get as far as I wanted, but have a clearer idea of what I want.
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​It’s been a minute since I’ve gotten excited about a painting and for that, I totally blame my tendency to overwork pieces until I’m sick of them. I just want to have fun with this one.
I had planned to finish my apparel projects from last week, but didn’t get the chance; there isn’t a whole lot to do so I’ll probably finish those in the coming days.
This week: finish apparel & work on paintings
Outside of the new painting project I do have a few larger canvases that need some big changes. I’ve been putting them off because the changes will definitely entail doing some erasing and starting over, but I think now’s the time since I have some motivation. I’ll share some progress pictures soon - for the canvases and the remainder of my wearable projects. 

​also completely unrelated, but did you guys hear Domo is making a comeback?? It was announced on the Domo HQ Instagram page. Idk what this means but I thought I’d share.
I'll keep it short today <3 Til next time

Thank you for stopping by <3
Xxxxxooooo
- Benzie 
Published on
Happy day after 4/20
I focused on wearables this week! I finally picked up a purse project for a friend I’ve been meaning to work on. I think I had a lot of hesitation in starting it because of it’s polyester finish. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make the design stick, but I think I figured out a good combination. I sketched the initial layout with pencil, outlined with POSCA markers and colored in with angelus leather paint. To finish, I used a spray acrylic sealant. I’m still adding to it and testing durability as I go, but It’s nearly to my liking and I’ll probably finish it this week. The surface of the purse was a little unforgiving as far as mistakes go- even pencil didn’t come up right away with a magic eraser so sketch marks are gonna be visible, but I think overall I’m liking the turnout. I don’t do it as much as I should, but I love painting purses. I think it’s because the room for margin of error is smaller and that durability is kind of dependent on materials, that I don’t find myself following through on started projects. I’ll try to be less worried about making mistakes. I have a hanger in the closet full of blank bags I have yet to start on. 
​I also did some drawings on clothes from my closet. These don’t often have a deadline, so I just kind of work on them when I feel like it. I did get inspired by my many iterations of that old picture of myself so now I have a tee shirt of the line art. Feeling proud of most of these. Also finally doodled on my canvas tote bag
next week: wearables & a painting
gonna spend the first half of this upcoming week finishing more apparel projects and the second half working on a painting. It's a project that's been on my mind for a while and I don't think I can put it into words yet but i'll post when i've got more. 
i'll keep it short and sweet <3

thanks for stopping by
༝༚༝༚
- benzie 

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