If there was ever a moment I needed more help it would be now. Between art shows and "real work" and holidays coming up, I think I've slept a total of 10-20 hours a week. 

I often question whether it's all worth it. Whether being an artist is something that should be put on the back burner because I need to make money. And then, in a split second, I flash back to the face of the little boy who wouldn't put down one of my hand painted skulls. I flash back to the amazement people have at the cards I make. I flash back to the friend looking for something "extra-special" to give someone as a gift. 

All these little moments keep me smiling and keep me in constant creative mode. Sacrifice is so worth what I am rewarded in the end. The chance to have my art as part of someone's else's life. 

I recently started participating in different crafts fairs and art events around town. Joining Houston's Discovery Green Flea has been a great exposure to what people really think of my crafts. 

It's funny to watch potential collectors enter my tent. There are so many different reactions. Some people have to stop and just stare at so many different pieces and bright colors that make up my collection. 

Others take pictures and stop to talk to me about my inspirations. My favorite visitors are always the kids that come by. Their eyes practically pop out of their heads when they see art they can relate with and the fact they can touch everything makes them super happy. 

I LOVE what I do and I HEART what I make. The work isn't easy but no one said greatness is easy. 

This particular event takes place the 3rd Saturday of every month. At first there were about 15 tents of vendors. This past month the event has grown to over 40 tents with more people applying everyday. The additional foot traffic has brought so many different people who may never have known La Ubertina Crafts existed.  For this I am very blessed. 

Sometimes I have to remind myself that the art I create is for fun and not a full-time career. Once I started to look at it as a business it started to get fuzzy.  My life has always been geared around two paths:  A career in Law and a career not in Law. We have to look outside of our comfort zones to realize that our potential develops only a margin as we tend to strangle it's growth with expectations of what "should" be. 

I have a passion for art and a love for those who create. I admire someone who is willing to take the ordinary and make it their own. Like a regular human being I get drifts of doubt like seaweed that piles on shorelines. Though it's not pretty to look at, you still need it as it keeps things going. 


Coming full circle from a structured schedule of corporate life to a more leisurely pace and back to a structured life, I have been able to appreciate both sides. Without having structure nothing would get finished and projects would sit on shelves waiting for some "inspiration" rather than finding it. With a more leisurely pace, you tend to stop and look at the different shades of blue in an afternoon sky. 

I realize that my problem was never not knowing what I wanted, but rather narrowing down all the possibilities of what I could do and going towards a culmination of what I deem as HAPPINESS!

Sometimes we go down paths thinking that our talents make us better than the next person . Sometimes I ask myself how I got this far. When did cost sheets become a part of my art. Then I realize I was always geared to have my own business of sorts. Thinking that it would be in art is a far cry from where I started. 

In art, as in life, you have to adjust and adapt. Use the materials given to you in all their possible utilities and the ones you purchase should have many uses besides the obvious labels on the wrapping.

I'm working towards a goal. A goal of living better. A goal of being a better person. A goal that is attainable if I remember the fundamentals: It's better to be humble and let your talent slice everything in the atmosphere!

When was the last time you went to an art show, museum, new installation, opening of a creative event, etc? 

I have recently been trying to branch out and visit my local artists and pay respects to their awesome work. On my journey I have met people who range from eccentric and eclectic to down to earth and a hippie at heart. 

The range of artists has inspired me to visit more galleries, openings and art events. I have become inspired over and over with new techniques and unbound creativity that most of the artists share. 

I recently realized that while living in California I hadn't exhausted as many artistic resources as I have been in the last 5 months of living in Texas.

 Sometimes you don't realize how much you have until you aren't close to it. Each time I visit I find new beauty and new inspirations that weren't evident to me while living in California. 

I've acquired two new pieces and plan on continuing the growth of my art collection. I have also vowed not to allow myself to remain a hermet about art events and thus want to share a little inspiration of the awesome art I've been face to face with these past months. So get out of your comfort zone and welcome to the other side. Enjoy!

This week I've got a little fun for everyone. Homespun, a Houston Handmade consignment store, is hosting a giveaway for some local artists and crafters. My "Dreams" hand-painted mini bag is on the giveaway. 

So in order to win you have to enter by leaving a comment on both La Ubertina's Facebook Page and on Homespun's Facebook Page. 


Here are all the details:

Time: Monday, July 11 at 12:30pm - July 15 at 12:00pm

LocationHomespun: Houston HandmadeCreated By Homespun: Houston Handmade

Welcome to Homespun's first giveaway! In collaboration with La Ubertina Crafts, homespun is giving away the "Dream" bag! 

Rules: In order to be eligible for the giveaway, you must leave a comment on BOTH Homespun's and La Ubertina's facebook pages between today and Friday at noon. A name will then be drawn by me. Winner announced on Friday!

This week I decided to dedicate my inspiration to a little guy who makes me laugh, drives me crazy, but overall has captured my heart and taught me much patience. My bulldog Chubbs! 

Until having a bulldog, I never realized how much they are portrayed in cartoons, commercials and a lot of marketing.  As the mascot of the U.S. Marines and of 39 Universities, the bulldog symbolizes strength, perseverance, and above all determination. 

Chubbs' determination, whether in devouring an entire shipping box or making friends with all the neighborhood dogs, has taught me not to give up no matter how the odds are stacked against me. 

Considered as one of the lowest ranking intelligence of  working class dogs, bulldogs are often overlooked as great companions.  Their overall appearance is something to marvel.  How many dogs get an awesome description as this: 
      
           "Bulldog is a breed with characteristically wide shoulders and a matching head. There are generally thick folds of skin on a Bulldog's brow, followed by round, black, wide-set eyes, a short muzzle with characteristic folds called "rope" above the nose, with hanging skin under the neck, drooping lips, and pointed teeth. The coat is short, flat and sleek, with colors of red, fawn, white, brindle (mixed colors, often in waves or irregular stripes), and piebald." Wikipedia 

I don't know about you but that description is a painting in a Picasso dream! 

Below are different photos of artwork inspired by bulldogs and famous bulldogs. Whether you love French, English or American bulldogs, there is a little bit of art for everyone. Enjoy!

It's been two weeks since I haven't kept up with my blog inspirations. Not that I haven't continued to inspire people I meet or people I know. 

This week I want to dedicate to the ornate and out of character inspirations. Take this picture of "Molly" for example. What do you see? Look again. 

This is what I saw, felt and did when I first found this photo: 
1) Who is this lady?
2) Her smile makes me smile.
3) Wow that turquoise looks great on her.
4) I wish I could pull off those earrings.
5) Maybe I can make those.
6) Who would wear them?
7) Molly of course!
8) I need to share this picture. 
9) Did I mention her smile makes me smile

We find beauty in the places we search least. When I showed this picture to different people they had so many different reactions. Some were good, some bad, and some who thought they were funny just felt silly when they read my list of first impressions. 

We are so quick to judge and don't see the forrest past the trees. Look at the entire picture and then see if you can't find something about it which makes it worth passing along. I understand that there are somethings which should just not be made, like a three headed sheep chair (see pic below for clarification). Even then, you can take what someone has made and make it your own. Yes there are hundreds of greeting cards, fashion designers, magnet makers, etc. There is, however, only one of you and what you interpret is your own style and your own mark. Use the inspirations that surround you and don't be afraid to "copy". It's the biggest form of flattery when someone creates something inspired by my work. 

Below are some other unique and ornate pictures of things and people who inspired me this week. 
Each week I try to share what inspired me so you can too be inspired.