Goodbye my friends

It saddens me to write but it’s about that time.

I’m shutting down the dendoo blog.

That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop blogging entirely, it simply means this blog is done.  I’m going in a new direction mainly due to the humongous break I took in 2010.   Due to that break everything slid into limbo and I really have to start ALL over.

I’m not going to delete this blog though so if someone stumbles across it they can browse, read, laugh, roll their eyes and waste time on the internet (as we all LOVE to do).

Thank you dendoo blog for giving me something to do and for being an extension of me.

much love, dendoo

Black and White Starts the Year Right

Late last year I had the luck to showcase some of my work in a gallery in Harajuku.  It’s a lot less fancy then it sounds.  It was really a learning experience more than anything but of course I need to share some of the pieces I did for that day.  My theme was rabbits/bunnies in honor of the (then) upcoming new year and the Year of the Hare.

My ladies were saucy and steamy and I loved drawing every single one of them.  I have leftovers so I’m going to think of creative ways to get rid of them but in the meantime enjoy a few of the pics from that day!

This nerdy chick is one of my favs from the bunch.  First time I drew a gap toothed beauty.  There shall be more.

Also real quick, I’m off the break.   Moving to Japan and the craziness of 2010 REALLY has corrupted my focus and drive.  I’m trying desperately to get back into my grove and doing these pieces really got me back into the mood for art.  March will be madness with new pieces galore, restructering and just a general wake up from the dendooverse.  Gotta love it.

Here’s to gap toothed babes, much love!!! dendoo

la la

dendoo is sick

come back when she is healthy.

she’ll let you know.

check out her art.

i’ve taken a lot of breaks for various reasons but part of my mistakes was sharing EVERYTHING.  i have to take a break again but this time it’s serious.  i’m going to share the right amount when i come back.  continue to support real art, real artists and creatives everywhere.  when i come back, you’ll know.  i just gotta do what’s right for me.

Stocking Stuffas

I think now that we’re really starting to feel the holiday cheer it is time to help those of you who are looking for cute holiday gifts.  Check out this Stocking Stuffa I found just for you!  It’s by an artist that goes by the name of dendoo.  Affordable and cute iphone and ipad pads starting at $39.95.

Much love and stocking stuffin, dendo0

dendoo is back

photo by Miguel Michán

Hello world!

I am finally back after an extended break.  As everyone knows I moved to Japan and it’s been a crazy emotional rollercoaster.  Moving to another country is difficult but add not speaking the language plus huge cultural gaps and life will surely get interesting.

I’m starting to scope out the art scene here and making a few contacts as I go along.  My job keeps me really busy.  In fact I was supposed to publish this post a few days ago but life overtook me.

Hopefully I can reserve enough energy in the evenings to do what I must and push dendoo along.

So what news do I have:

• My zazzle shop has been getting a lot of buzz.  There’s nothing new in it but some of my tried and true designs are available in t-shirts, skateboards, cards and much more.  Check the store out and see if any calls your name.
• Expect new items in the zazzle store by the end of the month, just in time for the holidays.  I’m sure there will be some discounts as well so start saving your yen…er…dollars!  lol.
• I have a few secret projects so expect big announcements within in the next few weeks.
• On the local scene I’m looking selling at this really awesome art gallery in Harajuku.  I was shooting for next month but we’ll see.  I have so many things going on it’s really hard to make new artwork.
• And redbubble is offering a lot more merchandise now so I will be revamping my redbubble store and selling on select items through them.  Expect a lot from dendoo + redubble for the start of the holiday season/new year.

—whew!
That’s a lot but I’m trying really hard to push myself.  If there are certain products that you want to see me tackle leave a comment or send me an email.

Looking to start a new project?  Let’s see what we can create.

This is dendoo signing out and trying not to fall asleep! much, much, much love…dendoo

An Open Letter to Essence Magazine: The Natural Hair Issue

Dear Essence,

I read your magazine before and it was okay but it always left me wanting more.  For your November issue, which is being described on the internet as the Natural Hair issue, I have only seen the cover but already I feel if your magazine were a meal I would still need to be fed after eating.

The cover features actress Kerry Washington who is talented and gorgeous.  I really find no fault with her; I find fault with the idea of using a non “natural” haired woman who is wearing what seems to be a weave or some sort of wig on the cover of the natural hair issue.

If the issue is approaching “natural hair” from the angle Tyra did on her tv show -meaning your natural hair WITHOUT weaves than okay, I can somewhat understand.  A lot of women have an issue with dealing with their relaxed hair let alone what some people angrily call napps (I say napps with love).  So I could understand, just a bit, if that was the angle you guys were going for.

However, the term “natural hair” makes me think of a woman like me:  hair that is not chemically treated to straighten it into a texture that I was not born with.   Nice thick nappies, kinks, curls, that hard hair or soft even but whatever the texture, hair that is in its raw state and is NATURAL.  So yes some naturals do have the texture Ms. Washington is sporting for the cover and more power to them but I don’t think that is her real hair.  Not at all.

If Essence is a magazine for women it would have been refreshing to see real, everyday natural haired women representing what the tagline reads “Curl it, Twist it, Lock it, Rock it”.  How beautiful it would have been to see some real women of different ages, shades, and sizes gracing the cover of the magazine truly showcasing natural hair.

I have been highlighted on the community BGLH.com  (Black Girl with Long Hair) and it’s great to see other naturals showing off their healthy hair and style.  It is proof that naturals can be just as divalicious as the woman who was chosen to grace the cover.  I know it’s all about numbers and picking Kerry Washington was probably given a lot of thought.  It might be too risky to throw some real women on the cover of a magazine in hopes that it might sell, but grab your balls and remember that Essence is Essence!  Break a mold for once!

Lastly, a lot of naturals are frustrated with this magazine and it’s approach to the natural hair movement.  I’ve read blogs whose authors have one eyebrow raised at this very cover I am writing about, blogs criticizing your natural hair chat that was online, and there are many (myself included) who feel as if Essence is using the natural trend to sell some units.  Well I know you have to make money but I really hope you’re not approaching this as a gimmick, as a thing to make a quick buck.

I would like to read this issue but I won’t be able to because of where I live at the moment.  However, I really hope what is inside this issue makes up for its introduction.  Never judge a book by it’s cover so they say…and I have so yeah I could be forced to swallow a big helping of “shut up” but I’m telling you from the mind of a natural that it just doesn’t feel right.  It would have been amazing if naturals could have been celebrated properly.

One last thing, if the idea of using naturals of every age, shade and sized had been done you could have had a curvy girl on the cover next right next to the topic “Curvy Girls….”

This is the cover of mixed messages.  Where’s my map?  I’m lost.

 

Fashion, Freedom and Melting Makeup

What’s up dendoo lovers?  Today I decided to merge two posts into one.  I went on a lil stroll down the hill from the scary house I’m staying in while in Japan and decided to be Glamour Girl!  Thanks to my roomies Catherine and Jennifer for taking pics of me and for enjoying the dendoo experience.   Photos will be scattered throughout.

Now, down to the nitty gritty:  Earlier this year I boycotted Forever21 because a friend of mine who is also an artist found the company was stealing her designs.  So Forever21 was the main core of my closet and it was saddening to have to say goodbye to them.

But if you’ve only known something for so long then how are you to make the switch?  It’s like going from a Mac to…..what??  What’s better than a Mac?  See Forever21, we had something good going on and then you messed it up by plagiarizing.

So what are some good alternatives to F21?  I had to change my mindset and maybe my budget but I found some great stores that can keep me looking right and tight like the plain fashionista that I am.

click mah pic to see h&m!

H&M is first on my list because this is a store that closely resembles the F21 aesthetic without stealing hardworking artists ideas. Walking into this store it feels like the grownup, graduated version of it’s little sister.

Also shout outs go to H&M because they invited my boo boo Geneticboi to be a part of this style thingamajigger (go check it out)!

The prices vary but some are moderate and others are a little more than you would pay at Forever21 but when shopping in here you have to think “I’m a grown up now”.  If you can repeat that bad boy you’re set for some good shopping.  The clothes are well made as far as cheap clothing go and they have a good variation of styles.

clicky da piccc-ky to see zara

Zara:  this is the uppity up up.  You can find AWESOME clothing in here.  Prices are higher than F21 for sure and higher than H&M but walking with a wardrobe from this shop will have you looking polished and professional for certain.  Don’t let this store scare you.  The first time I walked into Zara I asked myself “Charrish, what are you doing in here?”  Don’t psych yourself out!   This store delivers quality pieces for the money so get to shopping hunny!

Dendoo Shopping Tips: Stopping in many of the no name brand stores in the mall will allow you to purchase cheap shirts that will become the foundation of your wardrobe.  You can find plain coloured tees for at least 3 bucks that will stretch your wardrobe out extensively.

I pity the fool who pays more than 10 bucks for a plain tee.  Why?  Because these were meant to be worn at the drop of a hat, meant to spiff up a plain outfit and meant to be worn with your Jimmy Choos.  A plain tee is plentiful in your life so why would you spend $50 for a tee shirt that was meant to go through damage?  No I say, No!!

This pic takes you to ModCloth!

Here’s a good suggestion:  find a quirky online clothing store that suits your personal tastes.  If you’re into a style like vintage clothing, the internet can be a treasure chest of treats just waiting for your clicks.  One store that instantly jumps to mind is Mod Cloth.  I haven’t ordered from them yet but I plan to as soon as I get some money cause my wardrobe was minimized in my move.

These guys have awesome finds and they’re unique enough that you won’t feel as if everyone just stopped in your closet that morning.  The prices are pretty decent and not only is their regular stock reminicent of a vintage feel but they carry legit vintage clothing too!  So if you’re the type of girl that wants to ease her way into vintage pieces this would be a great stop for you.

Other great places to try would be Etsy and Ebay (although I don’t trust Ebay for the mere fact that the website is hella ugly).  There are also a lot of independent merchants who are selling awesome clothing with a very quirky feel.  You have to do a little bit of searching but when you find someone selling something that fits your style bookmark and smile cause you’re set!

These take you nowhere!!  Yaaaaay!

Last Thoughts: Recently I’ve been getting into brands.  Not wanting brands to be seen as a fashionista…if that’s what you have to see me as then you can keep that.  I have been eying brands for their beauty and durability, for the pure joy they give me and because I like what a certain brand stands for with it’s imaging.

I think it’s good to take advantage of some key brand pieces.  It’s good to invest in a suit by a certain brand, a nice handbag by a certain label, shoes by a certain designer because:

One:  you carry yourself differently when you have a label.  Does that mean you’re a label whore?  No.  It just means you’re noticing the true fit of whatever you’re wearing, the design and the style is more on point and it’s encouraging you to suck in your gut and carry yourself well.

Two:  the workmanship in designer clothes and accessories is evident and it helps the pieces last longer.  No more fraying edges and missing zippers.  You can feel the heaviness in a hem when it’s designer.  I watched a morning show do a segment on the difference between a pair of Louboutin and Payless shoes.  One part of the segment involved cutting the shoes in half through the sole and you could see there were layers and layers in the Louboutin’s and just a few little layers in the soles of the Payless shoes.  Workmanship, attention to detail, these are qualities you will find in a brand and these are the things that make them more expensive but worth the money.

Three: investing in a designer piece means you’re investing in yourself.  Yes it’s nice to go cheap sometimes but isn’t it just as nice to treat yourself?  Why not enjoy this season’s it bag, why not enjoy that dress or new shoe?  The thing about investing is you can’t pick up money from any old place and then say “Here I’m investing”.  So if you’re going to treat yourself nicely then you have to have the means to do it but there’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a little love.  This last point is especially to moms or women who place the world before them.  Maybe you can’t afford a $950 shoe but I’m sure you can afford a nice Coach wallet on sale at only $50.  Right?  Right.  You get to treat yourself and you gave yourself something you normally would have waltzed right past.

So maybe you still want to go to F21 and that’s your choice!  At the end of the day I’ll still drink with ya and laugh at something that’s not really funny.  I still wear my F21 clothes so I’m not going to hate on you but I realized there has to be more to clothing than F21 and these are just a few of the many options out there.

There are loads of brands to be discovered, loads of stores that respect art and design and loads of no name brands ready to stretch your budget.  I’m giving you a fraction of the pie!  Take this as a nudge, a gentle push, in a new direction.  This season what will your wardrobe say?  Are you discovering brands, are you anti brand?  Are you a victim of trends and do you want to do your own thing?  Do you want to get away from F21?

Think about fashion and where it’s taking you!  Maybe we’ll meet at the fashion crossroads.

Until then, happy shopping!!

Much much fashion love, dendoo

Another 31 Girls, Another 31 Days

by dendoo

Hello everyone!

A couple posts back I asked if you could handle 31 girls in 31 days.  Some of you could and some of you just couldn’t take 31 beauties crammed into your peepholes like that.  Well brace yourself because this last edition of 31 in 31 was by far the most spectacular showing (in my very humble opinion).

The last theme was “Out of this World” and I think we artists outdid ourselves.  Everything was truly out of this world.

Some of the standouts for me were:  Girl Eleven, Girl Eight, Girl three, Girl thirty and Girl twenty-one.  Of course I was feeling my girl as well but you know that!

I think there will be one more edition of 31 Girls in 31 Days as was hinted by the creator Ms. Vestque so we will just have to wait and see what delicious theme she comes up with…

Until then I beseech you to make kissy faces at the gorgeous girls and why not visit past ladies from the series as well?  They need love too.  That is – if you can handle it!

Much love, dendoo

It’s been a long time….

I’m so vain…i bet i think this post is about me (and my dog)

I shouldn’t have left you without a few words to step to

Well the reason why I haven’t blogged (or anything) in a hot minute is because my life is crazazy at the moment. Why?

Cause this lil piggy is moving to JAPAN!!!!

YES YES YALL AND IT DON’T STOP!

So posts might be few and far but still with love.   Also, I have been featured today on this wonderful blog called BLACK GIRL WITH LONG HAIR!!!  Click the name to go see my interview.  Reppin TCI to the fullest in all that I do.  And natural hair too.

Last update is: since I’m moving to Japan expect my blog to become a lil bazoring for a min but I promise to inject my new life into my blog.  I was wondering should Japan be a part of the dendoo blog and then I said “duh charrish, Japan is a part of you and dendoo is you so YES!”

So I will be updating the blog with vids and pics of my new life in Japan and even me crying as I try to figure out the trains (cause we all know ain’t no trains in TCI so I know I’ll be scared).  lol.

Anywhoo, I do have some new artwork but I have so many tabs open on my comp that I can’t even load it now so just enjoy that pic of me an th princess and I will keep the world updated.  Much Much Much Much love, dendoo

31 Girls in 31 Days

So tell me – could you handle 31 girls in 31 days?

Last month I was part of a project called ’31 Girls in 31 Days’.  If this is making you feel a lil deja vu that’s because there was a similar project in March with the same name hosted by the same person, the wonderful VESTQUE!

She, I and basically everyone who took part had SO much fun that she decided to host part deux of the project and this time there was a twist: poison.  Yep, under the theme poison artists from all over the world submitted to the project.  I had a blast creating this piece for the project and I think it was even better the second time around because of the theme.  It was more tied together.

So check out 31 females over 31 days…if you think you can handle it.  Be on the look out for my poisoned beauty in the line up!

And don’t fret, if you find that you have an appetite for 31 beauties there will be a July edition.  I’m starting to think this is going to be a regular project and I for one am very excited.  I’ll have an announcement via my blog when July starts to roll in.

Much poisoned love, dendoo