Paedra

Do you remember the "Pink Haired Person" from Wild Night on the Catwalk ?

I'd like to introduce you to Paedra.

One Person Exhibition, PAEDRA EXPOSED, Gallery in the Field, Brandon , VT

Quote of Alex Aldrich,  Executive Director Vermont Arts Council 

" First, sexuality, both  physical and spiritual, is something that we all wonder about, experiment with, explore behind the safety of closed doors and shades, and you have managed to open those doors, shine a bright light on it with vivid colors (maybe a little too vivid at times?) and let the world know Here I Am, This is Me.  It takes an enormous amount of courage to do that and I admire you for taking that plunge."

"A Knife and a Corset"       38"  x  50"       2006 

"729 Dreams & Red Blonde Hair "   60" x 48"  Unique Pigmented Print/Transfigured Collage  at AVA  May 2011

     "Miss Wyld"    66" x 106"    Unique Pigmented Print/Transfigured Collage  for the AVA Show  May 2011

Parallel Universe, Clifford B. West Gallery at AVA, 2011

America the Beautiful Series

America the Beautiful Series

"My art is something I can not not do...

It speaks sometimes well ahead of my everyday mind of who I am.  It is a flower and sometimes one with more thorns than petals... As often as I wish I had a 9-5 job I know that is not to be.  I do wonder many times what?where? why of this drive?  I dream of having heated studios;  hell of just having a home where it is easily warm during the winter where I am not cold.  Where my journey will take me this next year, I really have no idea.  As long as I have a healthy body I will make art.  I will dream.  I will hone a dry sense of humor.  I will laugh and I will curse.  I will seek out the fecund and dig to its edges.  And should things change I will look at that bridge and ........."   Paedra, New Years Letter 2012


Check out Paedra on facebook or on her website to learn more. 

i'm not being dishonest...

I came back from the Maya Riveria one week from today. One would think that after going on a paradise retreat for a week that you would be rejuvenated- high spirited- THANKFUL. But something unexpected happened- I arrived home to 5 degrees Celsius with anxiety and one thing on my mind- "why would we choose to live somewhere so frigid? Are we INSANE?"  and thus began a few days of real or perceived depression. I didn't want to go outside, I didn't want to cook. I wanted to go back.

So, it's been a week now, and I look at these pictures and think "was this real? did this happen?" because life is back to normal now. I'm working. Iyla is back to school. We just went out for cocktails with friends. It's cold.

My Type A mother-in-law described it best, "Desha, you were on VACATION. It's not reality." Lady Gaga starts her new hit Marry the Night with this quote, "It's not that I've been dishonest, it's just that I LOATHE REALITY".

I can see your point, senorita.
But, I am a dreamer, and there's many realities to choose from.
I can't help it, I was Born this Way.

Filming in Mexico

Tulum, Mexico

The Desha Show is in Mexico! As much as I love Vermont, there are days when I just can't take the cold any longer. On one of those such days I booked a trip to Mexico. And now, I'm here with my daughter and dear friend Craig. Yes, it's vacation, but I also brought along my new FLIP camera and I was lucky enough to connect with an amazing artist/designer who owns a boutique in Playa del Carmen, our home base.  You'll hear more about this later, but for now, I leave you with these images of our first couple of days. 

Fairy House by Iyla

Where We Reside

Tulum

Local Businesses who Rock Part 2: Altiplano

What can I say, I LOVE Altiplano, it's one of my very favorite places to shop. I love it so much that I walked in one day and asked the owner, Shari Zarin, if I could work there and she said "yes".  

It  helped that I told her how much I loved the window display and the DRESS in the window display, which I ended up buying.... anyway, it's fair to say that Altiplano and Shari hold a special place in my heart, and not just because it's a fab store. Shari is also a fab person, who is a super creative jewelry and bag designer. She travels to Guatemala and works with artisans (all fair trade) who make her designs come to life. 

Huipile and Leather Tote from Altiplano

In the store, located at 42 Elliot St. you can find very cool clothes, amazing gifts for adults and children and of course, Shari's jewelry and handbags. Stop in and say hi to the super friendly staff (half of them have been featured on this blog because they are so cool- such as Quinn Cartelli and Vail Burns. Lila, you're next, right? )

A very special thank you to Alitplano for sponsoring Episode 5 of The Desha Show: Wild Night on the Catwalk. It's a fashion revolution. Watch it here online.

Please take a moment to "Like"Altiplano's retail store on Facebook  and Altiplano Handmade. Say hello from Desha!

Local Businesses who Rock Part 1: Jasmine Aesthetics

I would like to say an extra special thank you to Erin Englehard of Jasmine Aesthetics for sponsoring Episode 5 of The Desha Show: Wild Night on the Catwalk. 

Erin actually did my make up for the fashion show and maintained her calm even when I only had about five minutes to get to the red carpet. Watch Erin in action here.

Erin applying makeup to model, Lenai Crocker before the show

If you live in Brattleboro or the surrounding area, I HIGHLY recommend a visit to Jasmine Aesthetics for a massage or facial. Erin uses all natural products and is Dr. Hauschka Certified. I LOVE Dr. Hauschka! Don't you?

Like Jasmine Aesthetics on Facebook and tell Erin you saw her on The Desha Show!