About
I like to run around with a paintbrush in one hand and a camera in the other.
I believe that whenever it rains I am happiest.
I am a lover of the Heavens and believe Jesus is the bridge.
I think that fat animals are the cutest, ever.
I love old vintage things mixed with the contemporary.
In nearly every job I've had I have been given the nickname Smilie w/out the other knowing. I smile a lot. I work in Advertising.
If I had one wish, it would be for for Chris Farley to come back and be my lunch lady.
I was also born 2 days late after Christmas w/o a doctor
I can write upside down & backwards
I think too much
My Personality type is INFJ
Movies that play a role in my heart
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, La Vita Bella, The Bicycle Thief, Amelie, Life Aquatic, Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore, Bottle Rocket, Little Miss Sunshine, Walk The Line, Rashomon, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Fight Club, Its A Wonderful Life, Breakfast At Tiffanys, Citizen Kane, Donnie Darko, El Mariachi, Garden State, Elizabethtown, Virgin Suicides, Spiderman, Great Expectations, The Big Lebowski, The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, Walk the Line, Dick, Tommy Boy,
The soundtrack for my life
Moogstache, Mckendree Augustas, The Decemberists, Gregory and the Hawk, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Feist, Rilo Kiley, The New Pornographers, Tegan and Sara, Bright Eyes, The Shins, Sigur Rós, Broken Social Scene, Flurish, Sufjan Stevens, Cat Power, Fiona Apple, Belle and Sebastian, Metric, Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, Neutral Milk Hotel, Iron & Wine, Stars, Imogen Heap, Spoon, The Arcade Fire, The Fiery Furnaces, Tilly and the Wall, Under The Influence Of Giants, Architecture in Helsinki, Elliott Smith, Radiohead Interpol, Joanna Newsom, Ben Folds, Modest Mouse, Damien Rice, Mates of State, Bloc Party, Camera Obscura, Beck, Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins, Wolf Parade, Devendra Banhart, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Antony and the Johnsons, Björk, Azure Ray, Frou Frou, The Dresden Dolls, Le Tigre, Regina Spektor, Animal Collective, Mae, Mew, Tracy Chapman, Ben Folds, Cocorosie, Johnny Cash, Rosie Thomas, Red Letter Agent, Telefon Tel Aviv, Heypenny, Melanie Horsnell, Sarah Blasko, The Album Leaf, Amiina, Coral Castles, Electrelane, Man Man, Albert Hammond, Jr., Calvin Harris, The Polyphonic Spree
While life passes by I do these things
painting, photography, running, advertising, chewing gum, sitting by streams in the country and breathing in, cooking, hiking, talking to victor, writing stories in my mind and my dreams, sleeping, swinging, visiting museums, entering contests, liking people...stuff like that.
If only I could tell you about all my passions
i am mostly interested in art and change, photography, acrylics, oil painting, jewelry design, watercolors, wood making, scrap booking, framing, christianity, interior decorating, gardening, nature, complexity, .music, guitars, pianos, burning you mix cd's, wine, colorado beer, film, lanterns, soft beds, antique markets, thrift stores, hardwood floors, candlelight, rooms, velvet, rainy days, tiny pens, teal eyeliner, stylish stationary, products with well-designed packaging, chandeliers, inspiring quotes, boats, reading, sketching in the park, growing up, and dressing up in vintage clothes..
MarchMar 2 Monday Mon 09
MayMay 14 Wednesday Wed 08
THE OLIVE LIBRARY (MY BLOG)
I have a real blog-it was once called a CUPBOARD OF CURIOSITIES.
You may find it here: http://theolivelibrary.blogspot.com
The Miniture List of Likes
i would like to:
go sailing, plant tulips, write philosophy, make tiny things with clay, hug someone everyday, wear yellow shoes, rummage through my fathers travel photos, sew a dress, move to the pacific northwest, save the homeless, ride a real train, learn the mandolin, study optics, pray more wholeheartedly, eliminate this worlds meaningless rules, brighten a child's life, become organized, re-addict myself to exercising, carry a suitcase in the middle of the park for no reason, invent an automatic fish feeder, create more abstract photography, see a new color, hold a baby seal, take a walk in barcelona, paint soul paths, interview my father before he passes, volunteer at the nursing home, acquire a job that lets me love more, collect more vegetarian recipes, save someone who is drowning a few more times, creatively show people the meaning of recycling, drink more tea, create a piece of furniture, design unique lighting fixtures, feel more open about writing, cut my own hair, kick religious people that scream when they talk, fly, walk on water, never smell another cigarette, go deep sea fishing again, become a therapist of some sorts, laugh at passing el caminos in mexico, carry even more friends to personal recovery, consider the unsolved aspects of physics, keep a dream journal, host a fabulous dinner party, tutor chemistry once more, find a way to spend more time in the library like i used to, take up the offer to photograph for missions in england for a small amount of time, turn my living room into a studio, eat lots of tomatoes and bananas, sleep straighter, set deadlines despite my natural resistance not to, get my sisters baklava recipe, write a poem about each of my seven brothers, continue to learn more russian then french, follow the meadows of a vineyard to the sunset, dance on tables, tell people the world is rationally tinier a grain of sand, and live one day at a time.
The Italian's Laundry Day
I lost the image I was working for this watercolor-it lacks the dark colors b/c one is to work from light to dark with watercolors, so Im leaving it as is...halfway finished. Sometimes to me those are interesting. 
Twigs Made of Dust
Seeing you laying there with your breath to the sky
Soundly the resistance to look beyond you grew cold
While lights drifted like dust directly in-between your soul
A gentle remorse began shine brighter upon your heart
It was the moment that the days of silence began to fade
Slow at first until a break of wind sifted
Rising up through wet soil under your feet
There you were lifted beyond all that you had dreamed
Shuttering in the night's sky a bird floated like a tree on its back
With two twin stars inside its stomach
Both hoping to meet the one sweet star just beyond it
I watched you there, in that one moment, thinking you may cry
But in the end, swaying below that clear night's sky
You just looked up at the stars, and smiled
Custard Yellow Turn Tables
click here to see more photos from "be a victim" on the white elephant flickr. 
The Miniture List of Likes
i would like to:
go sailing, plant tulips, write philosophy, make tiny things with clay, hug someone everyday, wear yellow shoes, rummage through my fathers travel photos, sew a dress, move to the pacific northwest, save the homeless, ride a real train, learn the mandolin, study optics, pray more wholeheartedly, eliminate this worlds meaningless rules, brighten a child's life, become organized, re-addict myself to exercising, carry a suitcase in the middle of the park for no reason, invent an automatic fish feeder, create more abstract photography, see a new color, hold a baby seal, take a walk in barcelona, paint soul paths, interview my father before he passes, volunteer at the nursing home, acquire a job that lets me love more, collect more vegetarian recipes, save someone who is drowning a few more times, creatively show people the meaning of recycling, drink more tea, create a piece of furniture, design unique lighting fixtures, feel more open about writing, cut my own hair, kick religious people that scream when they talk, fly, walk on water, never smell another cigarette, go deep sea fishing again, become a therapist of some sorts, laugh at passing el caminos in mexico, carry even more friends to personal recovery, consider the unsolved aspects of physics, keep a dream journal, host a fabulous dinner party, tutor chemistry once more, find a way to spend more time in the library like i used to, take up the offer to photograph for missions in england for a small amount of time, turn my living room into a studio, eat lots of tomatoes and bananas, sleep straighter, set deadlines despite my natural resistance not to, get my sisters baklava recipe, write a poem about each of my seven brothers, continue to learn more russian then french, follow the meadows of a vineyard to the sunset, dance on tables, tell people the world is rationally tinier a grain of sand, and live one day at a time.
The Italian's Laundry Day
I lost the image I was working for this watercolor-it lacks the dark colors b/c one is to work from light to dark with watercolors, so Im leaving it as is...halfway finished. Sometimes to me those are interesting.
When People Make Me Art
I absolutely love it whenever I get art presents by surprise!
I got these this week (AWE!):
I thought this was sweet because Victor made it for me today! I loved how he put shadows on the words. It was from an older photo when I was helping The Vintage Tweed out that I hadn't really seen again. The gloves are actually mine. I used to collect antique gloves whenever I was little.
At the beginning of this week Colleen sent me a zip file with all of our ice skating photos on it from last Saturday. This was the first photo featured, such a surprise! Its Colleen in her living room with the beautiful curtains-where the magic happens. 
And one beautiful handmade apron for my birthday. AW I do adore this so much!
Thanks yous!
Fanny Packs Are Not LA
This is a photo I took last weekend and just spent some time this morning to edit. I think I love it so much because of how well his purple jacket white a green shirt compliments the red curtains. Also, I find it rather comical that he is wearing a fanny pack, normally you only see those in LA.
PS-Seattle trip has moved to August, which is wonderful because Vanessa will be living there then. I accepted a request to do a wedding. I'm normally not into that but since its a best friend and its a gift I can offer, I'm excited.
Twigs Made of Dust
Seeing you laying there with your breath to the sky
Soundly the resistance to look beyond you grew cold
While lights drifted like dust directly in-between your soul
A gentle remorse began shine brighter upon your heart
It was the moment that the days of silence began to fade
Slow at first until a break of wind sifted
Rising up through wet soil under your feet
There you were lifted beyond all that you had dreamed
Shuttering in the night's sky a bird floated like a tree on its back
With two twin stars inside its stomach
Both hoping to meet the one sweet star just beyond it
I watched you there, in that one moment, thinking you may cry
But in the end, swaying below that clear night's sky
You just looked up at the stars, and smiled
Feathers In The Coffee
www.sayooh.com
Above is an example of Colleen Wandel's new line of feather hair accessories-I couldn't resist taking a photo of the many beauties she is making here in the mountains with me. They are sewn, laced, feathered and fancy. (Some even have coined horse trinkets and tiny cardinal birds.) You can add her flare to your hair at- sayooh.etsy.com
Say Ooh is her design signature-how clever!
(This photo was taken on a vintage record player.)
She did find a moment to take a break and her playtime was sending me these from across the room.
Custard Yellow Turn Tables
click here to see more photos from "be a victim" on the white elephant flickr.
Feathers In The Coffee
www.sayooh.com
Above is an example of Colleen Wandel's new line of feather hair accessories-I couldn't resist taking a photo of the many beauties she is making here in the mountains with me. They are sewn, laced, feathered and fancy. (Some even have coined horse trinkets and tiny cardinal birds.) You can add her flare to your hair at- sayooh.etsy.com
Say Ooh is her design signature-how clever!
(This photo was taken on a vintage record player.)
She did find a moment to take a break and her playtime was sending me these from across the room.
Smile Accidents Happen
The time was Monday at lunch. A car was illegally parked too close to mine in my work lot. This caused me to not be able to squeeze out of my parking spot for lunch, so I tried to pull back in and whenever I did I barely scratched this foreign guys car.
He didn't realize that calling 911 & the cops was not needed to take down my information. He also thought that a scratch (barely there-just a little paint gone) would cause him to need to replace his entire bumper; which he thought was 500 dollars! I tried to explain to him that it would barely cost anything and how to get an estimate, but he didn't get it. He wouldn't trust me and thought he needed more than just my insurance info and drivers license number so he continued to dial 911! He also wrote down my address, which I took away from him (Thats a big not to do-if you give an angry person your address that's just asking for it!) He persisted to call the cops again-and really wanted my phone number (which I don't give out-and he seemed to think that was not fair) I finally just said I needed to go back to work and left. Needless to say, I was a little annoyed afterwards so I grabbed Colleen's polaroid camera that she had left with me and decided to be sneaky and take the above photo! It made me feel better.
I was sitting at my desk about to write "Accidents Happen" on the white space of it for another scan in, when Colleen called me about directions to my office to grab her camera and hug me goodbye. She was pulling up to see what highways she was near and then yelled "OOOHHHHMYGAAAAAAAA" and then her phone shut off! I called back, nothing. So I grabbed my jacket and purse and ran out the door calling 911 and Stephy! I knew I could find her before the ambulance if I was fast enough-Her phone continued to be shut off; which scarred me so bad-b/c all I could think of was that the impact may have crushed it. I finally found her, unhurt-but with the entire front section of her brand new car on the ground. :( She was very calm. And the fact that she wrecked in the middle of nowhere in front of a mechanic shop didn't hurt much. They were able to tie her front end back on and check everything out. Here's the after pic:
Victor pulled up around this time too-he had just got his car back from the shop-it was there because it had smoked earlier that week due to a broken belt that was fixed by last Friday; but that day while at the shop his starter went out too. :( So Monday just after Colleen's wreck Victor had gotten his car back after many dollars later.
Then today, my friend Stephy called me sad about her car not starting and smoking too. She was sitting there waiting for her ride to come-trying to figure things out. :(
I think we should start a club. Colleen should defiantly be president, Victor and Stephy both treasurers and I can be the VP. I vote we have a slip & slide party to raise money.
Either that, or we all try Todd Michael's method: What to do on a bad day
Fanny Packs Are Not LA
This is a photo I took last weekend and just spent some time this morning to edit. I think I love it so much because of how well his purple jacket white a green shirt compliments the red curtains. Also, I find it rather comical that he is wearing a fanny pack, normally you only see those in LA.
PS-Seattle trip has moved to August, which is wonderful because Vanessa will be living there then. I accepted a request to do a wedding. I'm normally not into that but since its a best friend and its a gift I can offer, I'm excited.
When People Make Me Art
I absolutely love it whenever I get art presents by surprise!
I got these this week (AWE!):
I thought this was sweet because Victor made it for me today! I loved how he put shadows on the words. It was from an older photo when I was helping The Vintage Tweed out that I hadn't really seen again. The gloves are actually mine. I used to collect antique gloves whenever I was little.
At the beginning of this week Colleen sent me a zip file with all of our ice skating photos on it from last Saturday. This was the first photo featured, such a surprise! Its Colleen in her living room with the beautiful curtains-where the magic happens.
And one beautiful handmade apron for my birthday. AW I do adore this so much!
Thanks yous!
Where Dreams May Come
This is where I sleep.
Its gone orange and I'm not sure how I feel about that. 
Things you see:
4 of my Fathers watercolor paintings
1 of my oil paintings
1 of my Brothers lighthouse watercolors
A hand made ribbon quilt with 5 college graduation robes on the bottom side from 5 brothers (not my brothers-my adopted grandfather's children)
Shreck a present from Victor
A cross stitch pillow.
Trivial Pursuit game cards and vintage box (we play this weekly)
My poetry journal that nobody has looked at but me.
A sketch book.
Color pallets.
An orange sweater my Mom's Mother hand knitted in the 60s.
A black lamp my Dad found in a dumpster and painted for me.
A magnifying glass I use to paint with.
Paint tubes found in an unorganized place.
A fan brought back for me from a friend who visited Korea.
My favorite photo of my Father and me.
A jewelry dish I got last month for my birthday.
The edge of a small bible.
And a yellow feather from this weeks photo shoot. 
Say Ooh, Say Ahh
Above is a photo Victor & I did for Colleen's new feather hair accessory line. Colleen, Alanna and I braved the cold last Sunday and found the high spot on the highest mountain around here for this photo. We have a few more to edit, but I really like the direction Victor and I came up with for this. Its very painted and the washed out colors were placed in for more of a vintage feel.
You can add her flare to your hair at- sayooh.etsy.com
www.sayooh.com
Where Dreams May Come
This is where I sleep.
Its gone orange and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
Things you see:
4 of my Fathers watercolor paintings
1 of my oil paintings
1 of my Brothers lighthouse watercolors
A hand made ribbon quilt with 5 college graduation robes on the bottom side from 5 brothers (not my brothers-my adopted grandfather's children)
Shreck a present from Victor
A cross stitch pillow.
Trivial Pursuit game cards and vintage box (we play this weekly)
My poetry journal that nobody has looked at but me.
A sketch book.
Color pallets.
An orange sweater my Mom's Mother hand knitted in the 60s.
A black lamp my Dad found in a dumpster and painted for me.
A magnifying glass I use to paint with.
Paint tubes found in an unorganized place.
A fan brought back for me from a friend who visited Korea.
My favorite photo of my Father and me.
A jewelry dish I got last month for my birthday.
The edge of a small bible.
And a yellow feather from this weeks photo shoot.