Research Time

This morning I dusted upstairs, vacuumed downstairs (that's dividing and conquering, no?), changed the sheets, swept the deck, started the laundry, brushed the dog, cleaned the dog's ears, and brushed the dog's teeth. I'm sensing a theme here.

and that's just the ears...

But that's not the point. I also created a few more product in my Zazzle store. 
 

Swallowtail Redux Plates by artinphotography
Find other Abstract Plates at zazzle.com

 

Swallowtail Redux Blue Border Print by artinphotography
Browse Insects Posters online at Zazzle.com

I LOVE this Swallowtail Redux art! I made it from one of my original photos of a swallowtail butterfly's wing. Sometimes a design hits you just right - the colors, the lines, the motion - your eyes and heart suck it in and can't leave it alone, and you know that for whatever reason, it's just right. But that's not the point either.

The point is, I have rushed to get all these things done so that I could get to my research for my writing. Right now, I'm reading Indian Slavery in Colonial America, edited by Alan Gallay, and it's really enlightening. I never thought about (or was taught) the differences between societies that enslaved individuals as a by-product of war and slaving societies that initiated wars to obtain slaves. Or those in which slaving was a foundation of the economic base and those which it was not. 

I never thought about (or was taught) the colonial viewpoint of slaves, no matter what race. Or the different cultures from which slaves came as a contributor to enmities and alliances that may have prevented uniting against slavery. I never gave much thought to the erroneous assumption of equating the word "African" with "slave". 

I'm hoping more education on the topic will equal better writing about that time period.

Light reading? No. Enlightening? Very. 

Lethargy

I am seized with lethargy. On this gorgeous, low humidity, breezy, sunny day, it is all I can do this afternoon to curl up on the sofa with a book or three. If I were a cat or a dog, I'd be lying on the floor snoring in a sliver of sunshine.

I admit I got a few hours of work done this morning. But then . . . nothing. Why this lethargic malaise that has hit me like a cement mixer full of thick, wet cement gushed over me, seeping into every pore? Maybe a human has a limit to how much they can keep pushing. Maybe chronic worry and stress works like wet cement in your brain and body after a time. Maybe this slightly sore throat I'm trying to simultaneously deny and treat has a hand in it. I don't know.

Sleepy Puppy Labrador Retriever Greeting Cards by artinphotography
Shop for a greeting card on zazzle.com

All I know is that I feel like I can hardly move. And it has been months since the last time I curled up on the sofa and read some good books. Today I read some middle grades books I've been meaning to:  

I LOVE Avi's books

and

What super writing

And I enjoyed it. Wonderful writing both inspires me and makes me feel that all is right with the world. Maybe tomorrow I will have more energy.

My Samson - not a high energy dog. I'm at his pace today.

 

Sleeping Dogs French Bulldog Mousepad by artinphotography
Browse Dogs Mousepads

Then again, I DID just get a blog post written . . . 

Now back to the sofa with another book.

Some of My Favorite Things

This week, I'm featuring some beautiful products by talented artists who sell their work on Zazzle, the online print on demand store where I also have a store (Art in Photography).

These awesome designs are available on a variety of products such as prints, puzzles, plates, glasses, ipad & iphone cases, cards, ties, shirts, sneakers, necklaces and more - all of which make super gifts (in case you are still looking for that certain gift for that certain person).  And a number of products on Zazzle are customizable,  meaning you can enter the text or name you choose - what could be better for the person who has everything?

So pour yourself a cuppa, pull up a chair and check out this amazing art!

Oh, and don't forget your coupons!  (Who doesn't love internet shopping in your pj's AND coupons??)

To browse an entire store, click on the store title - good stuff.

Happy Labradors
This store has absolutely gorgeous art of labrador retrievers - perfect for any dog lover!  From whimsical dancing dogs in grass skirts to pups in stockings, this store will make any animal lover smile.

Island Summer Vacation Labradors Painting by HappyLabradors
Make cheap custom t shirts at zazzle.com

BBQ Labradors in the Azalea garden painting by HappyLabradors
See more Labrador retriever Mugs

Retropolis Travel
This shop has the coolest steampunky, retro-futuristic art with a sense of humor.  Perfect for mad geniuses and megalomaniacs. Hard to explain - you'll just have to see it when you browse the store.

Do Not Trifle With the Big Brain Mug by Retropolis_Travel
See other Big brain Mugs

This IS Rocket Science iPhone4 Case by Retropolis_Travel
Browse iPod touch covers

Ladies' World Domination Society Mouse Pad by Retropolis_Travel
Browse Ladies Mousepads

GraphicAllusions
This shop has a little bit of everything, from fantasy to birds and animals to kids' images - all beautiful art!

The Autumnal Fae by GraphicAllusions
Browse other iphone 3 cases

Jade Dragon Women's Shirts by GraphicAllusions
Create customized tee shirts using zazzle

Floating Lemons
This shop has original illustrations and art on a variety of fun products including greeting cards, posters, stationery and much more! Gorgeous, colorful art with a huge variety of images.

Red Crab sand Cookout Invitation by floatinglemons
More Red crab Invitations

Red Coffee Cupcake coffee Letterhead by floatinglemons
Design letterhead on zazzle

Christmas Tree Cupcake red2 Avery Binder by floatinglemons
Browse more Tba Binders

Darkhouse Quarter
This shop has amazing art. Somewhat macabre, definitely dark, infinitely interesting and thought provoking.  Click on the store link above to see it for yourself.

Lost by Darkhouse_Quarter
See other Weird Mugs

Voyage by Darkhouse_Quarter
See more Ship Posters

Funcards
This shop specializes in animals and nature images - cute, cute!

Flower for you... photo by Funcards
See other Funcards Photography

Miracles happen purple Jewelry hanger by Funcards
Make custom silver necklaces on Zazzle.

Have you finished your cuppa?  Enjoyed browsing the stores of these amazing artists?  Oh, good. Then my job here is done.  

The Pit Bull Project

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing my long-time friend (if I told you how many years it would date us both, so I won't), Kat Soul, artist, musician and philanthropist.  Although today's blog post has nothing whatsoever to do with writing, it does have to do with art, reaching a wider audience for your art and causes though zazzle, and one of my other interests - dogs and animal rescue.

Kat is a self-taught artist. Of her art, she says:

"I love taking pictures and always carry a camera.  I love to paint with watercolors and try to paint a little every day.  I love how I can throw some paint on a wet paper and let it blend with the other colors by shaking the paper or tilting it.  Then I walk away while it dries.  Sometimes the paint makes its own art without my help. Then I’m surprised by my own work.  I’m inspired almost exclusively by nature and animals.  Lately I’ve been painting farm animals and dogs." 

Kat also runs a zazzle store, The Pit Bull Project.  Of her experience as a zazzle shopkeeper, she says:

"Having a Zazzle store has been fun.  It’s easy to upload images. We sell a good deal of merchandise and have been trying to update with new products regularly.  I like taking my art images and putting them on shirts and mugs.  In 2001 I started a community outreach program called the Pit Bull Project.  I take all the proceeds from the sale of my art and use it to spay and neuter Pit Bulls in my community."

Kat's website, Charm City Animal Rescue, The Pit Bull Project, gives more information about how she does this.  About spaying and neutering, she says, "I’ve never understood why there is so little emphasis on spaying and neutering dogs when so many are being killed in our shelters and on our streets.  To me, it seems like the most humane option.  Prevent the puppies from being born into a cycle of abuse and neglect.  It makes sense to me." 
 

Here are some examples of her wonderful art, supporting pit bull rescue:

Moo and Charlie Rock by gracie111
Join Zazzle's clothing affiliate programs

stubbie mug by gracie111
See other Pit Mugs

I asked Kat a few questions about how she got into pit bull rescue and about pit bulls in general.  


How did you become involved with pit bull rescue? 

I met my first Pit Bull over 20 years ago.  She was the sweetest dog.  When I moved to Baltimore, I kept finding abused and abandoned dogs.  By trying to help them, I learned about the dog fighting culture.  Back then, there were very few people trying to help these dogs.  Our animal control facilities preferred to kill them and did little to educate the public about animal cruelty and population control.  In 2001, I started taking the proceeds from selling my artwork and using it to spay and neuter dogs for people in my community.  That’s how The Pit Bull Project began.

What are the best things about pit bulls?

I’m attracted to the breed for many reasons.  As a humanitarian, I wanted to help because they are so universally misunderstood and abused.  As a dog lover, they are wonderfully intelligent, easy to train, fun loving, excellent for protection, clean, and generally quiet.  As a single woman living in a big city, the Pit was the perfect dog for me.  Our shelters are full of them. Many shelters don’t adopt them out at all.  I’ve devoted the last 20 years of my life to help change the perception of the breed.

What are the worst things about pit bulls?

There are so many misconceptions about the breed. They’re popular with bad people.  The media focuses on negative stories and showing negative images of the dogs.  Local governments try to implement breed specific legislation instead of focusing on population control and community outreach.  The public is tricked into fearing the dogs instead of fearing the inhumanity of the people handling the dogs. 

What is the biggest myth about pit bulls and how would you address it?

There are a lot of myths about Pit Bulls.  As a dog lover with a great deal of experience with Pits I would say they are like any other breed.  Some have good temperament, some don’t.  Some dogs are great with kids, some aren’t.  The focus should be on kindness and humanity.  If you’re kind to any dog, the dog will repay you with kindness, regardless of breed.  

Thanks for sharing your art and educating us, Kat! Please visit Kat's zazzle store, The Pit Bull Project to see more of her art and products!   And remember - Pit Bulls are for hugs, not thugs!

Pit Bulls are for Hugs not Thugs by gracie111
Browse more Pit T-Shirts