Curious Tuesday on a Wednesday…

Some people have a pool for in their backyard.  I have this…..

The background behind Curious Tuesday can be found on Ms Gala Darling’s website.  Such a fun idea!  Getting to know you in just 5 questions…well getting to know more of you in just five questions.

1. What is the strangest compliment you’ve ever received?
When you get past the acne you’re one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen.  Like that makes me feel nice.

2. What’s your little-known talent?
I really like to sing!  I make songs all the time.

3. What do you obsessively search for on eBay?
I hate hate HATE eBay.  I’ve bought one item from it but I just think everything on there is a scam.  Plus…it’s really ugly.  It scares the designer in me.

4. When you were a child, who did you worship & want to be like?
Honestly, I wanted to be like my mommy but only skinner.  I thought and still think she’s one of the coolest people in this world. I admired everything about her.  I thought she was the prettiest woman ever, she was so smart, she made the best food and she always told me she loved me.

5. What was your palate band? Otherwise known as the first band you heard that made you realise the world of music was larger than whatever the Top 20 singles were!
Crazy as this seems my parents raised us on Country music so I had no idea what the top 20 songs were for a looooong time.  Maybe Nirvana?  I don’t know, I just knew music was music and like what ya like.

I know, I know… not terrrribly revealing but it was fun to answer.
Did you check out my latest posts on Finding your Inner Self and Springing into Summer? No?  tsk tsk…get on it boo!

Finding your inner self

//by chiaralily\\

Growing up is something we all have to do but it can be one of the hardest things we ever face.

I was having a discussion with a friend who I’ll call “Sugar Plum” (cause she’s just so sweeeet!) and we were talking about our twenties being the years of discovery.  We both agreed we’re discovering it’s hard to discover.  There’s a lot that happens when you start to come into your own:  your fashion changes, your views evolve, you feel like a woman or man but no one sees you that way, you probably have sex a lot and drink until you pass out…or not.  You want to explore new avenues and tell old ones that you’ll be back later.  It’s just one big adventure, right?

Right.

I believe finding your inner self is separated into parts:  there is the part that always was and the part that you have to awaken.

ALWAYS WAS
You always were spiritual, always were a big spender, you always were optimistic about life and you always wore red shoes with little black bows.  Ok those are you always, your constants, the things you are comfortable with and know about yourself already.

AWAKE AND EXPLORE
You didn’t know you are bi-curious, you had no clue you are a good listener, you love discovering how to go green, you make a mean cocktail, you are interested in doing your own thing & screw the consequences.  Who knew?

Maintaining your always was isn’t the difficult part, cultivating your awake and explore side is the where the issues start.  These additions to your you are going to create a whole new!  Hmmm…I’m starting to rhyme and that’s not a good sign.  Yikes!

The bottom line is you can’t be afraid to try your newness.  You might want to hang out with an edgier crowd, but you can’t be afraid to put yourself out there.  Go to the underground music shows, introduce yourself to new people, open your mind.  If you’re closed off you’re never going to be able to awaken and explore.

Sugar P. noted that as she started to awaken and explore new sides of her person the constants that she thought were unchangeable started to change.  Example:

“I was a huge party girl in college and everyone knew it.  If there was a party at the club you could count on me to be there, if there was a house party yep I’m there.  But then I started reading up on Buddha and it’s a zen lifestyle, more calming than anything I’ve ever known.  I used to make fun of people who couldn’t go hardcore but now I understand why some people have a limit.  Don’t get me wrong, I still party (whoop whoop!) but I love the calming effect that I get from learning about other religions and I’ve applied it to my new me.  I can go out now and have two or three drinks and still be chilled.  I was never like that before.”

Okay Sugar P. changed a constant by exploring and awakening a new side of her.  (Actually I for one am glad cause she does get a lil crazazy).   One thing we both agreed is when you decide to find your inner you have to go for it.  You can’t be a-scared.  I mean, duh, you will be a-scared but you have to push past that.  Between the two of us we came up with a listo of how to find the inner, the new, the real, yep the you!

doe:  Believe in your wants and your alreadys
Look I’m not saying if you want to try drugs to believe in that, but believe in who you are already and believe in what you want to explore.  If you want to know more about your ancestors in order to find more fulfillment in you the go ahead.  Go book a ticket and explore your forefather’s homeland, go talk to nana.  But you have to believe in what it is you’re trying to find out.  If you don’t believe in it you’re never going to press on and you’re never going to open up and accept what you find.

//by desireedelgado\\

ray:  Listen to your heart
This post is entitled “Finding” your inner self.  You’re going to have to do some digging around.  When you’re looking for something it’s not always easy.  Listening to yourself makes the journey easier.  There will be people around you asking “Why do you want to do that? Why do you want to wear that?  Why d you want to go there?”  They’re planting the seeds of doubts but if you listen to your heart and follow your inner voice you will mos def find what your looking for.  I mean honestly you can’t listen to Amy’s heart or Kevin’s heart can you?  Thought not.

mee:  Be true to your already, Be true to you
Look, you want to explore right?  Okay that’s fine.  But if exploration takes you too far from who you already are is that really worth it?  You have to find the balance between going after the dreams and keeping a part of you intact.  At the end of all this exploration you don’t want to come out a 100% new person.  We’d like to still be able to recognize you.  You can put makeup on and change one layer but underneath it all you’re still you.  Don’t forget the values and morals that make up you.  As cutesy as it may seem, some people may actually like you for the good, for the things they are comfy with and you might love you for that too.

fah:  Get a tour guide

My mommy, who I love to death, is the queen of reading self help, self improvement books.  Sometimes I laugh at her but some of her books are really on spot.  I’ve bought a few books myself and they have really helped.  Think of books as a tour guide into this journey.  Try reading some of these books, they’re not just about how to dress pretty but they deal with spirituality, sexuality, money woes, mental growth, emotional growth.  Baby it’s the whole rainbow.  The truth?  When you’re finding your inner you every part of you has to grow. These books are highly recommended from meeeee:  What to Do When You’re Twenty-Two: A Survival Guide for the Quarter-Life Crisis, If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You, Single: The Art of Being Satisfied, Fulfilled and Independent,  On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girl’s Guide to Personal Finance,  20-Something, 20-Everything: A Quarter-life Woman’s Guide to Balance and Direction

Okay sweeties.  Just remember everyday this week is a new post on transforming a new part of your you and your life.   If you are finding your inner self I wish you lots of luck and really I do feel our twenties is the ideal time to discover ourselves.  It’s almost like it’s expected.

Who is your inner you?

Much love, dendoo

Spring to Summer: Get the Look

The month of April screams spring to me but as it is coming to an end it reminds me that Summer is just around the corner and soon it will be all about the beach, summer love and getting a tan (unless you’re perma tanned like me!)

I decided to have some fun and put together some cute outfits that could be awesome Spring into Summer wear.

This look is fun and flirty with a worldly vibe.  I call this look Ethnic Eclectic.  Elements like the butterfly earrings shout “Spring is Here” but the fun colours in the skirt and darker tones in the bracelet make it feel more summer to me.  And how cute is the bathing suit that doubles as a shirt?  MAJAHH  The awesomest part?  Everything is under $50.  Cause I gat yo back gurl!  Click here to see the items in detail.

I am a secret lover of the colours Black, Red and White together.  Sometimes you don’t want to be all girly and frilly… You want an Edge.  I call this look Rock n Edge.  This could def be worn to a springtime concert (Coachella?) but I can see this at a bonfire at the beach as well.  The items in this look range from $50-$100.  Click here to see the items in detail.

For all my ladylike sweeties out there I present the Prim Pastel Lady look.  The colour palette is pure sophistication and the items are very luxe with a price range of $200 – $500.  Every lady has a naughty side so I threw in this marvelous skull cuff that has a bit of “you talkin’ to me?”  I think the colours are very first moment of spring but elements like a breezy skirt, and the cute accessories can be carried into summer.  Click here for details.

Do the the looks work for you?  What colours are you hoping to wear this summer and what are some of your spring staples that will be making a summer appearance?  I tried not to use any items from Forever 21 because they steal too much.  Oh, you didn’t know?  Read all about it here.

I hope I gave you some wardrobe inspiration.  I had so much fun doing this that I even got a jolt or two.  Can’t wait to see what summer has in store for me!

Much love, dendoo

delinkcious: a friday’s worth of links

It’s been a proper minute since I’ve done a link post so I got un-busy (aka un-lazy) and decided to do one.

I have a special thing for Unibrows

A newly single young woman needs to know what she can use now that she’s left to her mechanical devices

This comes in handy when you need to give letters that ominous personal touch

Wedding season is approaching.  I’m tired of boring brides.  Be original.

It’s mad.

Forever21 still steals artists imagery.

…If I had no responsibility: Hitch a ride to Coachella. Rent an apartment with intellegent people. Try my hand in some inhouse gardening…Go back to school, forever. Protest various issues that piss me off. Never buy an item of new clothing again. Take up guitar, glockenspiel, didgeridoo and drums. Move north, not …drive my car unless I’m visiting my mom. Find a job in a novelty store. Shower less often.
thanks to my fb friend estee

we should all get naked (click the ankh)

Feng Shui on Steroids

You can thank me later designer in training

this wasn’t a lot of links but i’m trying.  plus i have to drop my sister to work and she’s pestering me.  enjoy and chit chat amongst yourselves.  much love, dendoo

dendoo + the ark project = yay!!!

About a year ago I sent in a little image to be included in a book called The Art Project.  Well, thanks to the wonderful postal service, I finally got my copy of the book and I can finally blog about it!

My Blue Marlin is swimming along with other fish and other animals in this book.  Over 200 hundred artists drew animals from their home or region to be rescued and viewed in this gorgeous book.

I picked the Marlin because I’ve always thought it was beautiful and it’s blue, a colour I was in love with when I was small.  Seriously I thought I’d have a blue wedding dress folks.

This book was published by IdN and imagine my surprise when I woke up to find an email telling me I have a lil feature on my piece which can be viewed here.  (If the link isn’t working check back later.  For some reason the site is down now.)

Most of all I’m proud that it gives a shout out to the beautiful TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS!   For all the grief that one has to endure living here sometimes, it’s a really cool place and I LOVE giving a shout out!

You can find out more about purchasing the book via the link above.

Much fishy love, dendoo!

I’ve opened up shop again!

I’ve opened up shop again, this time I’m an Artprojeckts artist!
You can get your dendoo art to rock on your chest proudly.  Click the image or go here to see all the products.

31 girls in 31 days

my friend vestque is trying to do something amazingly awesome.  it’s called 31 girls in 31 days.  it sounds mega kinky ( i mean come on…wouldn’t it be great to romp with a different girl for a month?) but it’s actually a creative project meant to stimulate your mind….woo!

simply put you’ll be assigned a day at the beginning of the month, 1 through 31, and you’ll create artwork for that specific day.  i’ve invited some “non artsy” types to be a part of this because i think it would be awesome to encourage females who don’t draw to push their creative bones.

so if you’re interested click here to let vestque know (just fill out the form so she can get you listed for a day and send you all the hardcore information – after all this is her project so she’d know the deets better than i would).

in the end all the artwork will be collected on her website and she’s planning to do a youtube video.  it’ll be great exposure, a chance to get creative and hey! if you want to get kinky with it you can def draw a lil boobage on your day.

psssst my creations will be kinky!

Forever21 resorts to stealing

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted and I wish my return to blogging would be under better circumstances but it’s not. My friend, dura, who I have interviewed and who I have much respect for has made a horrible discovery: Forever21 is ripping her design.

I couldn’t believe it and I went to their website to see for myself and there it was. I am a huge lover of Forever21. At least 75% of my clothing comes from them and I am conflicted. I want to boycott them because what they are doing is disgusting but I love their clothes. Hey, I’m just being honest.

I figure for now, the very least I can do is spread the word about the situation and let everyone know to be on the watch for thievery and lack of morals. It’s sad when the big guy thinks the lil guy is stupid. It’s even more sad when it’s a company you adore.

I am a sexy pig//what i’ve learned from Miss Piggy

No girl wants to be called a pig but this girl does.  Actually, I would love it if you called me a hog.  Why would I take that as a compliment?  Because one of the best woman ever to grace this earth was a pig herself:  Miss Piggy.

Miss Piggy is the sexiest, sultriest, most lusty woman ever created.  The great thing is she is a teacher because the things I am discovering about myself are all things Miss Piggy stands for.

First of all Miss Piggy ain’t afraid to show off the goods.  She has curves for days and she knows how to go out with a hoggy bang.  It’s all about being comfortable with your own skin. While I don’t have a stick of curves I do appreciate my body for the way it is, even if it is a bit malnourished by black standards, and I am learning to appreciate what I don’t have.  So I don’t have a big butt, maybe there is a reason why and I’m cool with that.

Every time you see Miss Piggy she has her makeup did, she’s wearing her cute clothes, and she’s looking porkalucious.  Miss Piggy doesn’t apologize for looking sexy and I love that! But the thing I love so much is Miss Piggy doesn’t have to be a porkwhore about her sex appeal.  She knows how to gorge it up appropriately and she knows when to give major vamp and voom.  Baby, I’ve got that trick in the bag: there are times when you need to give an understated sexy and then there are times when it needs to be in your face.  If you can own your sexiness then sexiness won’t own you.  Being comfortable with who you are is sexy.  I’m loving it!

The other thing I like about Miss Piggy is she knows how to do the super JUDO CHOP. HIIIIIIIYA.  This is one broad that can defend herself.  How about that:  a karate choppin pig.  But this shows us it’s okay to be able to defend yourself from the pitfalls of life.  Ain’t nobody messin with da piggy and ain’t no one messin with me.   Understand?  Good.  I’m not sayin put a huge wall around yourself but I am sayin when it’s time to protect yourself you don’t have to run to a man to do it; kick butt yourself.

Lastly I love the pigster for being able to love her Kermy.  Maybe the love is a bit unbalanced (Isn’t she always chasing Kermit?) but I adore the way she’s passionate about her frog.  Every woman needs her froggy and every woman needs someone to give their glorious bacon scented love to.  I think Miss Piggy encourages me to realize it’s okay to love, it’s okay to lust, it’s okay to heartache and it’s okay to trust. Have you ever heard Miss Piggy talk about Kermy?  It’s delish!!  And maybe that’s what love is and what love will be.  A delicious, semi non nutritous love affair that is simply gush worthy.

So Miss Piggy aside from teaching me my ABC’s youv’e taught me so much more. I remember brushing my teeth with my Miss Piggy toothbrush and who would have ever thought I would devote an entire blog post to you?  Hell, never not me!

Miss Piggy’s example is so great that I’ve started exploring and releasing the inner me.  The new me “might” be dating and “might” be falling in like…. I would tell you more but that’s top secret dendoo info.

Secret kisses and much love, dendoo.

i’m drawing again

whoever said having a blog was easy is a LIAR.  coming up with topics, coming up with energy to write about said topics, it ain’t easy boo.

that being disclaimed i do have some news.  if everything goes well i will be working on a new and improved website and blog to be unveiled mid summa 20//10.  (that’s 2010).  i have been layoutting and plotting and planning furiously about how i want the new site to look and the new blog.  now that i am getting in the swing of my new job (see my last post to figure out where i work and what i do) i’m going to be able to blog a lot more and DRAW a lot more.  dendoo has not been forsaken, it was simply on a break.

i hid the fact that i hated drawing from my fam and friends but now thanks to therapy, meds and a little kick in the rear i am attacking drawing like it’s nobody’s biz!  dendoo can’t die baby, it’s a part of me!  and hey, i have a preview of a new piece i’m working on to share witcha:

so let’s get down to some meat and bones of what will be happening.  you can still look forward to the monthly do interviews, twiggy poo tuesdays, video viles, delinkcious and also a lot more BLOOGGGGIN on things that are happening in my life.  i’m really trying to do more interesting things not just for the sake of my readers but for the sake of ME.  lol.  when you don’t live in a paris, tokyo or ny you really have to pour the intensity in your life times ten so i’m going to try.

last but not least (as i could never be least) i’m seriously thinking about this makeover thingy.  no joke!  i need a makeover but it’s not just the outside…it’s the inside as well.  i don’t think i can unveil it on jan firsto (jan 1st) but it’s a work in progress.

so here’s to a detailed version of what to expect:  NEW artowork, NEW website and blog, NEW products for dendoo, NEW projects, NEW NEW NEW charrish.

i hope you guys enjoyed the art preview and of course if you have any suggestions of things you’d like to see you can hit me on the blog, the twitter, the fb, the emailers or hit me up with a $20 cause i’m broke!

much love as always, dendoo

p.s. // the artwork is just the start of new t-shirts for the new year!  can’t wait to keep workin on em