March 24th Today, I am...

...this creative illustration by Mia Araujo!

My name is "Sleeping Sickness". I'm an acrylic painting on wood by Michelle Mia Araujo: "I am an Argentine-American artist, born and raised in Los Angeles. I have long been fascinated by the multi-faceted complexity that makes each person unique. I believe that all individuals contain an entire universe within them, which is invisible to the  naked eye. My work concentrates on giving shape to the unseen forces within my subjects-- their thoughts, memories, emotions, and complex histories. These qualities fit together to form a vast, rich inner landscape of identity and mythology for my characters. In May 2007, I graduated as valedictorian from Otis College of Art and Design, with a BFA in Illustration and a minor in Creative Writing. I am represented by Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles, and have shown my work in prominent galleries across the US." She draws inspiration from everything, but especially fairy tales, performance art, vintage photography, music, literature, animation, and world cultures.

other Mia Araujo paintings:

interesting acrylic paint facts:

* acrylic paint is a paint that is made from the combination of pigment and acrylic polymer emulsion, which contains acrylic resin and water
* the resin used in acrylic paints was first patented in 1915 by a chemist and inventor Otto Röhm from Germany
* acrylic paints began to be developed in the 1920s to the 1940s and were able to be bought commercially in the 1950s
* acrylic paints were popular during the pop art, abstract art and photorealism periods in the 1900s, and have remained very popular due to their flexible nature, providing less cracking; versatility; and their quick drying characteristics

(all facts found at AcrylicPaint)

March 16th Today, I am...

...this mysteriously strange gypsy caravan!

I am a gypsy waggon or a vardo, caravan or living wagon, which is a traditional horse-drawn wagon used by British Romani people (Romanichals are thought to have arrived in England in the 16th century, they are an ethnicity of Indian origin) as their home. It is very common for us to be highly decorated, intricately carved, brightly painted and even gilded. It's a high cultural point of both artistic design and a masterpiece of woodcrafters art (today, even the simplest ones cost about $15,000). The heyday of the living wagon lasted for roughly 70 years, from the mid-1800s through the first two decades of the twentieth century. Not used for year-around living today, they are shown at the Romanichal (British Romani) horse fairs held throughout the year, the best known of which is Appleby Horse Fair.

here is a sketch with every vardo characteristic:

other gypsy caravans:

interesting Gypsies facts:

* there are two types of Gypsies – Roma Gypsies and Irish Travellers; both have a nomadic lifestyle but are separate ethnic groups
* large families are still very much the norm, with some couples having over 10 children
* as a nomadic people, the Romani didn’t write books or attend school to learn to read and write; instead, they’ve long maintained an oral tradition where poets and singers tell stories about the Romani and their culture
* the Romani have a rich musical heritage; their music has influenced jazz, bolero, flamenco music, and many classical composers including Franz Liszt
* Gypsies are not dirty; their culture is built upon strict codes of cleanliness learnt over centuries of life on the road
* most Romany girls are expected to get married between the ages of 16 and 18; according to tradition, a girl shouldn't have more than four boyfriends before getting married, and if a boy asks a girl out, she should refuse at least twice before finally saying yes
* traditionally, groups of extended families formed kumpanias (bands) which traveled together in caravans; each kumpania is headed by a voivode (chieftain) who makes decisions after consultation with a council of elders and the phuri dai (senior woman)
* many Roma women wear bracelets and necklaces made of gold, and headresses are decorated with coins; the display of prosperity and generosity towards others are considered very honorable
 
(facts found at Lifestyle, FRUA, and GRTHM)

March 4th Today, I am...

...this beautiful Venetian wall mask!

I am "crowned by a magnificent butterfly", I have "a whimsical, yet elegant styling." I am a wall hanging, measuring 20.5'' from top to bottom. I'm crafted of cold cast bronze with a beautiful hand tinted finish. I cost $94.00 and you can purchase me at The Guiding Tree. Venetian masks with elaborate costumes are a traditional wardrobe at the Venetian carnival. Traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day, December 26) and the start of the carnival season at midnight of Shrove Tuesday. Maskmakers (mascherari) enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws and their own guild. Venetian masks can be made of leather, porcelain or using the original glass technique. The original masks were rather simple in design, decoration, and often had a symbolic and practical function. Nowadays, most of them are made with the application of gesso and gold leaf and are all hand-painted using natural feathers and gems to decorate. There is little evidence explaining the motive for the earliest mask wearing in Venice. One scholar argues that covering the face in public was a uniquely Venetian response to one of the most rigid class hierarchies in European history.

other Venetian masks from The Guiding Tree:

 interesting Venetian carnival facts:

* everyone (meaning ANYONE) who hid under the disguise could pretend to be someone else and maybe climb the stairs of the Palazzo Ducale to go and salute the most serene Doge
* the carnival could not be interrupted and that meant it had to carry on at any cost
* the Carnival stopped being celebrated after the fall of the Republic because it was frowned upon by the Austrians and the French, but the tradition was preserved in the islands of Murano and Burano
* the typical sweets of the Carnevale are Frittelle and Galani, which can be purchased in every single bakery and patisserie in town, but only during Carnival time

(all facts found at Browsing Italy)