Awesome Tattoos, Hoarders, & The Ramblings of A Tired, Buzzed, White Girl

I found this photo on Pintrest today. Yes, I am a proud new member of Pintrest.com. I actually discovered it because people were pinning my Constellation Tattoo Posters on their pintrest boards. Pretty cool, eh? It's a great way to store ideas and inspiration! My "Inspiration Folder" on my mac is so unorganized and cluttered. It's worse than an episode of Hoarders in there. Pintrest is like hiring an organizing specialist... or one of those people who redoes your closet.

Crap. I just broke a nail trying to open my giant Redvines container. #WhiteGirlProblems
I digress.

Anyways... Pintrest is awesome. And I found this amazing photo of a sleeve. I cannot for the life of me find the tattoo artist. One of the downfalls of sites like tumblr and pintrest is that crediting authors/artists rarely happens correctly. I google searched my heart out to try and find the tattoo artist so that I could credit his fine work. But, alas, to no avail.

Oh wow. Demi Lovato just came up on my iTunes shuffle.
#Shame #WhenGoodPeopleListenToBadMusic #ItsTooDamnCatchy #WhiteGirlProblems
I digress yet again.
[Note to self: Never blog when groggy and at the bottom of your glass of vodka-and-mango/pineapple-juice.]

To wrap up this horribly dishevelled and unorganized blog (another metaphor for my inspiration folder? Bringin' it full circle, baby), this tattoo is amazing and it makes me want to get more, against my better judgment. I really think I will try and pick up tattooing. I think I might make a good tattoo artist.

- Amy
Listening to: Le Blorr's "Boy You Need Jesus" (To redeem me from the Demi Lovato reference.)

Caleb Followill, Southern Livin', & Lessons In Publicity

I recently did an illustration of the skanky-yet-handsome Caleb Followill, lead singer of the Kings of Leon and apparently the reason they had to cancel the rest of their U.S. tour. I wish I had a crystal ball to see that one coming as I don't think these prints will sell as well as they might have under different/better circumstances. But as Donald Trump always says, any publicity is good publicity. Maybe the throngs of people googling his name for answers to why the tour is cancelled or for forums to post their disgruntled rantings on will stumble upon this blog because of it. If you want to see photos of the evolution of the illustration read a more indepth post on the Hoodzpah site. If you still love Caleb Followill despite his indescretions and want one of these pretty prints of your own, head to the store. They fit perfectly in a record frame. If you're looking for some tunes for this perfect Wednesday (all you fellow Orange Countians know what I'm talking about), check out KOL's recent CD, Come Around Sundown. I didn't hear much about it, but I really like it. It's mellow yet driving. Perfect music for drinking iced tea on a wrap around porch at dusk while the lightning bugs flicker around. Sometimes I miss Southern livin'.

Happy Wednesday.

- Amy
Listening to: Kings of Leon's "The End"

Elvis Costello Look-A-Likes, Dive Bars, & The Inspiring Mickey Smith

I was chit chatting with this hilarious New Yorker who looked like Elvis Costellos' long lost twin (horn rimmed glasses, hair, teeth and all) the other night at this local dive bar I like to frequent. We were talking with this other couple, who were also sharp-tongued New Yorkers, about Ireland and England and how beautiful they are. Then somehow the conversation jumped randomly (as typical incoherent, hard-to-follow bar conversations often do) to surfing. It reminded me of a video my friend had posted a while back from Cornish surf photographer, Mickey Smith called Darkside of The Lens. [Finders fee to the talented Chris Steblay.] I was raving to these New Yorkers about how beautiful this short film was and how they had to go home and google it. I was only one heffeweizen in, but Elvis was on his 3rd Merlot and the lovebirds were each on their 4th Lemon Drop, so whether or not they followed my eager recommendation I will never know. But I am here telling you dear readers now - who I assume are sober, reasoning adults/tweens/chillun' - that you should watch the below video. It has passion, beauty, danger, and the deep reveries of an artist recited in a thick Cornish accent. All the elements that make for inspiration.

Be inspired. 

-Amy
Listening to: The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York"

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

Vêtements à la Mode: Rosie Huntington-Whitely

Rosie Huntington-Whitely wearing some lovely things I wish I had in my closet. I have some retro circular glasses and a braided belt, but no lovely, flowing pale blue skirts. Alas, I'm too short for long skirts anyways. 

I love that she's dating Handsome Rob/Turkish. She's so cool.

- Amy

Listening to: Cat Power's "The Greatest"

Poster Art Giveaway! FREE SHWAG BABY!

What two words are sweeter than "FREE SHWAG?" Let's be honest? Well maybe "FREE ART". I'm promising both here. Yes, today Jen and I are doing a poster giveaway for some of our art. One lucky winner will geta free poster of their choice from our etsy store! (Check out the goods by clicking on the shop tab.) All you have to do to enter is like the Giveaway "post" on our Hoodzpah Art + Graphics facebook page, leave a comment with the poster you want, and voila! You are entered! To get a double entry, share the link with your foxy facebook friends. We will announce the winner Friday morning at noon via Facebook. May the best man/woman/child/sheman/manchild/tranny win!

- Amy

Listening to the Rolling Stones' "Mixed Emotions"

Diverting Doppleganger: Alec Baldwin vs. Marcus Mumford

Is it just me or does the frontman of Mumford & Sons look like the bastard brother of the Baldwins? Think about it. Which also reminds me, can you believe he and Carey Mulligan are hitched? Apparently it's only been like 5 months! Not that I've been reading US Weekly or anything. (Long awkward pause.)

-Amy
Listening to: Mel Torme's "On The Street Where You Live"

Painting Progress: Jordan Sabolick

More progress! He has hair! Tattoos and shirt to go. I started painting the shirt a turquoise blue and so far it is hideous so I refuse to post photos. Hopefully I can fix it. Oye.


- Amy
Listening to: Dashboard Confessional's "Living In Your Letters" (sue me.)

[Click to enlarge.]