A war is being waged in my Zazzle stores. Two sides of my multi-faceted feline child, Bart, are battling for supremacy in the form of two different Valentine's Day cards. The first card represents Bart's sweet and cuddly aspect - also known as Snuggle Cat. While the second card is more aligned to Bart's attitude when he is not among blankets or people who worship him - we call him Sarcastic Cat.
So far, the popularity of these cards has been relatively even but if I had to give an edge to one, it would be to Sarcastic Cat. While The Snuggle Cat Card has more votes, The Sarcastic Cat Card has had more sales recently. I'm not sure if I should be disturbed by this trend or not. I love all of Barty's personalities (with the possible exception of the one that scratches woodwork) but I have to admit that Snuggle Cat is my favorite.
So what do you think? Snuggle Cat or Sarcastic Cat? Leave me a comment or click on the cards below and cast a vote for your favorite just beneath the picture on the product page. I'll let you know which one emerges victorious after Valentine's Day.
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Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
A letter to my muse
Dear Muse,
I'm on to you. I know that you are somehow responsible for the untimely demise of the television opposite the comfy couch in my living room. Call me paranoid but my intermittent computer, internet and cell phone problems seem to have your name written all over them too. I am becoming convinced that you are not merely a muse, but a tireless, trickster spirit who will stop at nothing until I spend my every waking hour making some kind of art.
I'm on to you. I know that you are somehow responsible for the untimely demise of the television opposite the comfy couch in my living room. Call me paranoid but my intermittent computer, internet and cell phone problems seem to have your name written all over them too. I am becoming convinced that you are not merely a muse, but a tireless, trickster spirit who will stop at nothing until I spend my every waking hour making some kind of art.
So I just wanted to say thank you and keep up the good work.
Love,
Victoria
Victoria
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Appeasing The Muse Week 3
"Hold On To Your Hat" By Victoria Lynn Hall
Available at Zazzle.com/Victoriart*/
Available at Zazzle.com/Victoriart*/
I probably should apologize for calling my muse a bitch. As much as I hate to admit it, it turns out that she actually knows what she's doing. For example, when she commanded me to complete one painting per week she was actually putting an end to a long standing argument between us. Her side of that argument was that painting should be the top priority in my life right now. My response has always been that I have too many “more important” things to do.
I realize now that when I accepted her one painting per week demand, I lost that argument forever. . . and I've never been so happy to be wrong.
To complete one painting each week, I have had to make painting a priority in my life. To complete one painting every week, I have had to make painting more important. And all those other “more important” things I have to do? They get done in the miraculous amount of extra time I've found between colors, between ideas and between the times when I am disgusted with my last brush stroke and ready to brave the next one.
Somehow by making painting more important it has become more important. Perhaps, as my muse insists, it always was. Not because of what I bring to the canvas so much but more because of what bringing things to the canvas does for my life.
Happy creating, indeed.
Victoria
Friday, July 2, 2010
Appeasing The Muse Week 2
I didn't complete one painting this week . . . I completed five. Five gloriously but unmistakably flawed paintings that I wouldn't dare show to anyone besides my husband and my cats. I don't like these paintings very much but I do love them because I took risks on them, I experimented with them, I learned from them and I am inspired by them. So like I said, I completed five very successful paintings this week. Even my muse has to be happy with that.
She is also pleased that I am working on a sixth painting. Although it won't be finished for a few days so she, and you, will have to wait until next week to see how this one turns out.
Until then, happy creating!
Victoria
Friday, June 25, 2010
Appeasing The Muse Week 1
To Wonder Is Wise (Appeasing The Muse Wk1) Poster by Victoria Lynn HallAvailable at Zazzle.com/Victoriart*
One painting every week, the muse commanded. This didn't seem so daunting at first. I've completed a painting in a week before...once...maybe twice. After this week, however, I realized that to do it consistently I am going to have to devote a lot more time to the canvas. This may take some time away from other activities, like cleaning the house.
Hmm, maybe my muse does love me after all.
Happy creating everyone!
Victoria
Friday, June 18, 2010
Conversations With My Muse #2
"The Wildest Dreams" By Victoria Lynn HallI received the following message from my Muse this morning:
Dear Mortal whom I tolerate for the sake of art,
You are hereby commanded to complete one painting every week. They won't all be good but they will all be good for you.
Yours Truly,
The Muse
Wow, she is such a bitch.
I better get busy. Happy creating everyone!
Victoria
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Fairy Tales And Other True Stories
Looking at my art and designs you might think that I am a card carrying fairy tale fanatic but I actually have sort of a love/hate relationship with fairy tales. I, like so many girls, was raised on them and they did indeed cast a spell on me that will probably never fully be lifted. The older I get, however, the more my perspective on them changes.
For example, when I first saw “Snow White” as a little girl, I was so frightened by the evil queen that I ran screaming out of the theater. Now (thanks in no small part to Disney's expert marketing) I find the “Villains” of these tales more likable or at least more sympathetic than I ever expected to.
It's actually the Princesses that frighten me now. They just have so many issues. Cinderella has low self esteem, there is something not right with Snow White and don't even get me started on that lazy Sleeping Beauty. I mean sure, they are all nice people who deserve their happy fates but they just don't seem that motivated to me. In fact, if it wasn't for their princes or their fairy godmothers, they would have been in real trouble. Truly, I would be surprised if their “happily ever afters” were achieved without at least a few years of therapy.
The bottom line is, these women were poor role models for me. I think I am perfectly justified in blaming them for spending far too many years waiting for a Knight on a shining Harley to show up and rescue me. Eventually, however, I realized I wasn't nor did I want to be a princess in need of saving.
And yet, I still want the fairytale. I just figured out that the ruby slippers work better than the glass ones. I want to be less like Cinderella and more like Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” these days. Dorothy didn't need a prince or a fairy godmother to save her. All she needed was a good role model to remind her of the power she already had within her. I think ultimately, that's all any of us really need to create our own happily ever after.
So yes, I believe in fairy tales but more than that, I believe in me and I believe in you.
Rapunzel's New Plan Art By Victoria Lynn Hall by Victoriart
Check out other Fairytales Canvas Prints at zazzle.com
Fairy Tales And Other True Stories Custom Spiral Note Books by Victoreeah
Make your own notebooks online at Zazzle
Be Your Own Fairy Godmother - Ever After Art Poster by Victoreeah
See other Fairytale Posters at zazzle
Wine Princess "Someday My Prince Will Come..." Refrigerator Magnet by Victoreeah
Shop for other fridge magnets from zazzle.com.
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