design chat

2011-02-04T06:03:00.000-08:00

I am soooo excited to get the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the Face Painting Industry...I am taking a workshop from her to learn some of her techniques & her signature designs...can't wait to get started!

Gina Facetags Gabby

2011-02-01T18:59:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun with my assistant Gabby who allowed me to practice some designs I had seen in Pashurs class at the CT Convention...using Gabbys favorite colors of course! Isn't she gorgeous!

Joseph's punishment

2011-01-31T20:41:00.000-08:00

Practice makes perfect!!!

2011-01-31T20:31:00.000-08:00

I have started another venture...called Gina's FACETAG which is face & body painting for parties. It started out kinda slow (by choice) but after taking several classes & attend workshops I am hooked and decided to put most of my energy and efforts into that right now. My licensing is still bringing in some income but just not enough so while I wait for those quarterly checks this new avenue looks promising as a steady flow of income....and it's sooo much fun! My goal for the new year was to first get a website up designated just to FACETAG...check...my next big goal is to land a contract of some sort at a place that will hire me on a steady basis (weekly, monthly, or seasonal, ect.)...wish me luck! I have so much fun trying new techniques, testing new colors, glitter, etc. I am constantly asking who ever comes over "can I paint you" & when my kids see me they run.

2010-12-15T08:45:00.000-08:00

Tribal Art Collection is available for license!

2010-12-15T08:38:00.000-08:00

I know it seems I am not around but I'm around all right...trying new things, meeting new people and having a ball. I have recently collaborated with a photographer Tony Cordoza and together we have had 2 exhibits, 1 book and starting round 3. Here is a sample of what you will see in round 3.

2010-07-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

2010-05-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

The Surtex show was pretty good on Sunday (in my opinion)...I didn't exhibit but I attended and had several great appts. The floors were busy and my Surtex friends Sharla Fultz, & Beth Logan both said that the show was smaller but that gave them more attention. The fact that the Stationary show was on the same floor was a fantastic move because it brought the traffic from that show right into the Surtex show...why didn't they do that sooner. My good friend Wilma Sanchez of Racoon Illustrations walked the show with me and agreed that we might consider exhibiting next year!!!

2010-03-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

FACE TAG...face/ body painting and glitter tattoos...I am having soooo much fun with this. I have always been into this kind of thing, why not get paid for it and bring attention not only to other business but most of all, my own. I plan to market FACE TAG to everyone and use my art as well as popular designs already on the market. I will continue to design art for the license industry while getting more exposure as an artist all the way around...besides I love all of this glitz! You might even see me at a trade show or two either promoting other companies (if price is right) or myself...its a win win situation for me! Please let me know (all my artist friends) what you think and feel free to ask me about it.

Mardi Gras is Hot!!!

2010-01-08T06:48:00.000-08:00

I just want to share news of an new contract with TileCraft! My Mardi Gras designs seem to be hot! I can't wait to get all of my new designs published from my trip this summer to New Orleans! If you love Mardi Gras as well please check out my checks from Bradford Exchange and my Masquerade Party collection from Creative Conversion. "Let the Good Time Roll"

I'm Back to chat!

2009-11-23T20:32:00.000-08:00

I have been spending way too much time on FB...its so easy though and I feel that I am talking to my friends and family who respond and show pictures of their own and chat with me...but I need to spend more time with this creative outlet. Its not that I haven't been creating because I have actually been doing a lot of that...its just that it takes alot longer to upload, set everything up right and so on, unless things got easier since I went MIA...please share if I am missing something...so back to creativity...I am trying something new which I will post as soon as I take pictures but for now here is where you can find my new creations for real.

Surtex 2009

2009-05-19T05:29:00.000-07:00

ENDANGERED COLLECTION

Just got back from Surtex...and to be honest I was a little disappointed, not to take anything away from the artists that were there, but it was very different from previous years. There were very few exhibitors and I'd say that over half of the booths were agents. I did see a few familiar faces but not many. Is licensing going away??? On a good note...The lack of exhibitors should have brought good traffic to those that were there! There was a lot of traffic at stationary show which was on same floor as Surtex making it easy to navigate the shows.

They did offer smaller booths ($2800) this year for newbees...great idea!
I could not find the magazines...I just hope they were somewhere since I advertised in two of them.

I was happy to meet with clients who were surprised as well at the small size of show, but we must stay positive and keep on creating, because there are companies that are still buying good art!!!

Contributions to "Mardi Gras"

2009-02-25T06:56:00.000-08:00

You can also find the Masquerade Collection brought to life on designer checks by Bradford Exchange! I am so proud to be a part of Mardi Gras! Now let the party begin.

Masquerade Collection

2009-02-25T06:11:00.001-08:00

The Masquerade Collection is just in time for your "Mardi Gras" party at party stores nationwide. I will definitely use them for the party this weekend!

"Laissez les bon temps rouler"

2009-02-24T05:40:00.000-08:00

Fat Tuesday is the beginning of Mardi Gras..."Let the good times roll" I love it, wish I could be there but since I can't be there I do plan to celebrate it at home. I sent the boys off to school with purple, green & gold beads in honor of Mardi Gras and told them that purple=justice, green=faith and gold =power (in case anyone asks).

It is very important to me to teach my boys as much of their culture whenever possible....which usually ends up with a party. Yes, my favorite neighbor and partner in crime is giving a "Mardi Gras" party on Sat. where we will make BBQ shrimp (a New Orleans/creole favorite), beignets (creole pastry) and the famous Hurricane drink to top it off!

"Laissez les bon temps rouler!" - "Let the good times roll!"

Its Coquito Time!!!

2008-12-21T18:34:00.000-08:00

Yes its that time of year...I start by cleaning my bottles that I have managed to store up throughout the year, removing all labels in order to replace it with a custom one revamped every year. Then I shop for all of the ingredients; coconut milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk, cinnamon, vanilla and lots of rum. Each batch comes out just a little different depending on my mood. Some get a little more and a little less of that but none the less they seem to disappear.

In the past I gave it away as gifts, however my list kept growing & growing so this year I decided to sell it and it is disappearing just as fast. I still can't keep up with the orders. I keep thinking this will be my last batch but no such thing... It really stops when I just get sick of drinking it because I do have to sample each batch and then taste it again each night just to make sure its still good so when I have had enough is when I tell everyone that there just isn't anymore and they will have to catch me next year. But until then I will continue to drink up and savor each glass or bottle!

I do enjoy adding my label and wrapping it up, ready for the next party!

Tagged by BJ Lantz

2008-11-04T07:44:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged by BJ Lantz; who continues to inspire me everyday...although I doubt she knows it. I find her blog the most interesting to read which is how I knew I had been tagged. I have to tell everyone 7 things about myself that you might not know about me. Thanks BJ for sharing your creativity & knowledge with us!!!!!

Here goes;

-I left California right after graduating college to conquer the New York Fashion Industry! That was 20 years ago...WOW. I was only supposed to stay 6mo. to a year, get as much experience as I could and then head back...needless to say I am still here on the east coast doin' my thing!!!
-I love animals and have a dog named Chelsea. I can't tell you exactly her breed, but she looks like a fox, other than that the jury is still out. She blends in well in my household being that most of us are mutts in my house and proud of it!!!!
-I am proud to say that my moms family is Creole from New Orleans and yes we make Gumbo, play pitty pat and dance the 2nd line.
-My father is Mexican American also known as Chicano, which is the reason for the big Cinco de Mayo parties at my house...ps; does anyone still make their own taco shells as apposed to the store bought ones? I do and I can't find a restaurant that does on the East Coast or the West Coast.
-I've always wanted to teach art to kids/young adults and inspire them about the many options there are for artists today! Who knows... maybe one day I will.
-City Island in the Bronx is my favorite place to hang out with my family. Johnny's has jumbo shrimp w/fries and killa pina coladas. We make sure to go early before all of the real excitement happens!!! If you know the Bronx you know what I mean!!!
-I love to socialize with like minds...I can be shy at first but get me going and theres no stoppin'!!!

You have been tagged!!!!
-Reyna Gillman
-Andrea Mistretta
-Beth Logan
-Linda Jacque
-Susie Lee Jin
-Carol Black-Lemon
-Kristen Cook Tyler

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2008-10-23T06:24:00.000-07:00

This is my latest piece of art...just in time for Halloween! I might build a collection from it or maybe not...lets see. The name was Poisen, however while shopping yesterday I saw the Poisen Collection all over the place (which I love) so I need to rename this.

Checks are in!

2008-10-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

Yes...My Tribal Soul check collection in on the market and ready to order. They look great as do the check book cover and labels. I can finally find joy in giving my money away!

Back from Cali

2008-09-06T13:23:00.001-07:00

The boys and I just came back from a 3 week vacations in the Bay Area (Berkeley) to be exact. I have not been in the studio but lots took place while away. I am proud to announce a new license partnership with The Bradford Exchange, LTD. which will produce Tribal Soul on checks to debue in October 2008. Proceeding that collection will be The Masquerade Collection to debue January 2009. So to those of you that like to show a little originality when paying your bills can order my designs on checks along with checkbook covers and address labels.