Quirky.

Wore this quirky bit to head out on a cruise of  Saguaro Lake, where I've been taking up residence to paint, sketch and do arty tidbits. I am a nature girl through-and-though and love getting filthy in the dirt so it felt balancing to scrub off the paint and put on some heels. And wow, suddenly summer just feels...here. Goodbye pants and knits.
Jeans: Rag and bone, Heels: Zara, Sweater: Ralph Lauren, Purse: From Leather Market in Florence Italy, Sunglasses+Jewelry: Vintage

Run for the roses.

Mid-setup for a meet the artist...(me!)
@WearableDreams Instagram
Quick Hiiii. Working like a mad woman to meet deadlines, deadline, deadlines…

Follow my adventures in paint and caffeine here: 

Instagram: Click, Twitter: Click

Art Consultation.

View from hiking Pinnacle Peak, ArizonaCasual day running errands, of which I changed into the flats seen here after my initial morning meeting/art consultation. And on a different note...how beautiful is that scenic photo bit above? I've re-fallen in love with hiking and the higher the incline the better. There are so many jaw dropping drop-offs and incredible scenic rewards that I am kicking myself for not stepping outside my gym to workout earlier. Ditching the heels and heading out to a yoga retreat this weekend. Beyond excited. x
Dress+ Jean Vest: Thrifted, Heels: Guess, Watch: Vintage

The Value of Gold.

Pinnacle Peak, ArizonaThis past weekend, my family and I celebrated my beautiful mums birthday. We all decided to get decked out in our glamours best and cheers the night away. Jazz club, wine and finally ending the night with crackling records playing in the background while the fireplace danced…pure gold. I felt completely transported to another era. My family means everything to me. Have you ever had one of those perfect nights where the world seems to move in slow motion? x

Pumps: Marni, Dress: L'Agence, Clutch: Zara

Heroes and Hearts.

This video is long overdue… A glimpse into my lil’ art world.

While having a public blog is contradictory to being a private person, I consider myself to be. Taking pictures and writing snippets about different projects I am working on somehow feels different to sharing a personal video. This feels naked. Cheers to leaving my comfort zone. This will also answer one of the most frequently asked questions via email…What do you do? Well, click play. x

Sincerely, Phoenix

Escaped to one of my favorite desert lookouts. I love it because very few know about its isolated glory. I cannot count the number of times I've taken refuge here with a blanket, Sir Winston (my pup) and a sketchpad. I took my beautiful mum today and enjoyed just rambling on about life while Sir Winston snored in my lap. One of those perfect afternoons. I'm also extremely excited to be working on another brilliant art commission. I've been selected to paint/create the cover art for Downtown Phoenix's 2013 Dining Guide. This is going to be such a brilliant project as the story I'm depicting in oil paint is a personal one. Happily locking myself in my studio this weekend. x
Dress: BCBG, Heels: Vera Wang

Spring Training.

View from my art studio, Sunrise.I suppose we are well into spring now but I am just now starting my spring cleaning. Which for me, means scrubbing down my art studio and attempting to reorganize my shelves and shelves of random bits. With a framed picture of my first check from my first exhibit and other various mementos, I can fully be a sentimental pack rat. So while a few works are drying out back, I'm going to give my favorite space a bit of a facelift with fresh paint and new shelves. Anyone else planning fresh starts into spring? 
Blazer+Belt: Vintage, Jeans: J Brand, Top: Thrifted, Heels: Tory Burch

And on another note many thanks to the lovely team at Macktak Mart New York! They have a beautiful selection of designer dresses, so its been good fun to partner with them. Excited to unveil a few more creative projects in the next coming months. x

A crown made of flowers: DIY

With a romantic notion and a nod to the 1970’s, I love the idea of shopping in my flower garden. 

What you’ll need:

Supplies for fake flowers: Scissors, floral tape, headband & a hotglue gun.

Supplies for real flowers: Floral Wire, floral tape, headband, scissors/wire cutter & a hotglue gun.

Quick tips:

• Use a headband for a sturdy base. You can also wrap it in green floral tape to blend accordingly with the green stems of your selected florals.
• If using fake-Invest in silk flowers, they’re not only prettier but less likely to fade over time.
•  A hot glue gun is your friend when choosing to do a fake flower headdress. Green wire is your friend when choosing real flowers. Green for blending reasons.

1. Wrap the headband, your base in green floral tape. Keep the tape taught and hot glue the ends to secure. 

2. Trim the stems of your flowers accordingly and begin to either hot glue them a top your newly wrapped base if using fake flowers or if using real flowers begin to wrap the floral wire around the stems to secure them.

 3. Always take a quick glance in the mirror to see where you might want to position your next flower, so they don't pile up in random bits.

4.Once all of your flowers are in place (by wire or glue), begin to weave the green floral tape tightly around the exposed stems (for both real or fake florals). If you are using real flowers keep the line of tape taught and tightly wrap continuously, then hot glue only the ends. For fake flowers, especially if heavier, use dabs of hot glue and wrap over for extra support.

And viola, a crown of flowers. From everyday to wedding day, I love the mythological feeling of wearing a crown of flowers atop my head. A more in depth fresh flower crown tutorial coming soon. 

See more of my flower moments: here, here & here. x

On the Road, Again

Heading through the Arizona desert...Instagram @WearableDreams
I love roadtrips. The feeling of wind rushing through the open windows and the feeling of living a nomadic lifestyle. With the summer incoming, I'm excited to continue the random adventures. Still working hard and spending my days covered in paint but happy to be back in my Arizona studio (with glorious air conditioning). It'll be a solid month before I head out again, but I figure all nomads need a home base. x

P.S. You can also see more of my adventures on my photography website!
www.PhotographybyJesa.com