Working on a new line for 2016 that I'm so excited about!  I've been creating some inspirational blog posts for the "Livin' the MAD Life"™ way of living along with original art to inspire all of us to live a happier, fuller life each and every day.  These new product lines will help us to be reminded of that :)
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I'm particularly excited about the "Home Hearts"™ designs, such a fun way to show your love for your home state, currently working on creating "Home Hearts" for each state.

Lot's more to come so stay tuned!

What first comes to mind when you hear the word "Power"?  Is it a negative connotation, related to the thirst for power and control over others?  Does it bring to mind war and politics?  For so many people this is true, and yet the word itself can be a very strong and powerful meaning of positivity and strength.

We each have the "Power" to change our circumstances for the better, let's use this "Power" to help ourselves and others.  Take the negative connotations away from the word and you have given the word itself the "Power" to make change for the better.  Too often we fall into the trap of being dictated/ruled by what society thinks we should believe, and from a young age in school we are taught that "Power" is related to politics and war through history, let's change that mind set and teach our children at a young age that all "Power" is within us, not an outside source to rule over us.  We rule ourselves by giving ourselves the "Power", the "Power" to transcend rules and expected life roles...we are better than that and deserve better, start putting "Power" over yourself based on YOUR life expectations, YOUR goals and Dreams, YOUR passion!

Give yourself the "Power" today to live out the life of your dreams, start by doing something you wouldn't normally do, but wish you could, or had.  Do one little thing today to start taking back control of your life and exercising the "Power" of Positivity!

This original Mini PoP painting is based off the ancient Reiki Power Symbol ~ "Choku Rei":
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"This power symbol is likened to a power switch that can be used for a wide array of purposes. Basically, though, the Reiki means that one's intention always rules over what happens. The Reiki can focus on providing power or energy to specific parts of the body. At times, one can use it as a light power switch to increase one's healing powers."

My first year at Miami Art Basel is a wrap!  It was an amazing experience to be surrounded by so much art and creativity, as well as the opportunity to share my art with even more people that might not have otherwise known about it.

I showed at the Spectrum Miami satellite fair with Art Blend Gallery in their booth and also had my oversized 60"x72" "Living the Dream"© painting prominently featured in the VIP lounge, it was such an honor and all around amazing experience.  In addition "Living the Dream" was also the cover art for the Art Blend magazine that was given out at the show and also sold in Barnes and Noble, Hudson Booksellers and other retailers across the country.  I was also supposed to participate in the Art Basel Food and Wine Festival, but due to the non-stop rain, and threat of torrential rain, the event was cancelled as it was set to be outdoors.  An unfortunate turn of events, but we can't do anything about the weather.

One of the most important things I came away with was getting ideas for how I want to show my art at next years Art Basel.  I'm still debating if I want to go with a gallery, my own booth in one of the fairs, or be completely outside of the box and have my own solo show somewhere, or combined with a group of artists I know.  To give me an idea of how to go outside of the box, I visited a lot of the smaller shows, such as Mijares, an artist whom I've followed on Instagram for quite some time, it was amazing to see his work in person and also how he set up his solo gallery show.  He is definitely an inspiration and an artist to follow.  Another great show was "The No Commission Dean Collection", put on by Alicia Keys husband, music producer "Swizz Beatz", Keys actually performed during Art Basel week at the show, which would have been amazing to see!  The Dean Collection was by far one of the most "step outside the box" events at Art Basel this year, as Swizz Beatz organized the entire event centered around the idea that artists should be given opportunities to share their art without it costing a fortune.  None of the artists in his show had to pay to participate and didn't have to pay a commission on any work sold during the show, this certainly got my head spinning with ideas for collaborations with other artists and brands.  

There were so many events with artists collaborating with supportive art brands, such as the Hublot watch company, Bagghy Purses, Viber App Stickers, Bacardi, Absolut Elyx Water, etc., the list goes on and on, and as someone who knows how to work closely with brands through the licensing world, I think this would be so much fun to be involved with some artsy brands at next years Art Basel.  Definitely on my To Do list to reach out to several different brands for collaborative events next year :)​

In addition to all the ideas I came away with for next years show, and collaborations, I was blown away by so much of the art, here are some of my favorites and shots of my paintings on display as well.  I hope you enjoy this little peak into what Miami Basel Art Week is all about, it's definitely worth the visit!!  And I will be back next year :)

As many of you know I will be displaying my original paintings during Miami Art Basel, starting tomorrow through Sunday December 6th.  I will be one of the featured artists in the VIP section of the Spectrum Show and with Art Blend Gallery in booth 307.

I will also be displaying food and alcohol related original paintings and prints at the Basel Food and Wine Festival on Saturday Evening, including offering a raffle for an original painting!

I'm getting so excited to be doing my first ever show at Art Basel Miami!  It has been something I've wanted to do or years, and the opportunity was finally right to be there this year, I hope you are able to get the chance, if in Miami this week, to stop by and see my art in person and I would love to meet any of you who make it out!