156:365

(*promo postcard from this month's show at REVLIS)

When I started this blog... I wanted to include lots of local flavor, thoughts on art and photography... and daily musings on life in general

... and I think I have achieved that (at least on most days)...

At the beginning of the year... I started a series of blogposts on local art venues; which I called "Sneak Peeks." However, having been back and forth to PA for many months... I was unable to continue this series. Now that I am back for awhile... and to make it up to you all; I am going to post on 3 different galleries here over the next few days....

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... and my Art Gallery "Sneak Peek" for today is: REVLIS

(peek #11 in my series)

Behind a somewhat unassuming exterior on Central Ave, lies a fabulous selection of funky...
hip hop... wild and colorful... exciting and fresh... art.

Graffiti fans beware... you will be sucked into the abyss

... at a vibrant new art gallery called REVLIS.

(yah well... I couldn't help myself... )

I stopped in this First Friday for the first time in several months. Only a short while ago, it was CIRQ gallery... and I loved it's creative spark. Honestly, I was a little reluctant to go now that it is a new place... but the owner; Nicole Montes, has gone out of her way to keep it all "street" and exciting and new. She heartily supports local, up and coming talent... and the energy is fierce.

This month's featured artist is J.L. Johnson... a truly fabulous artist.

For more info on J.L. and her art... check out THIS article at Duke City Fix.

Lisa Gill wrote this great article, and it is well worth the reading.

PLUS... here is a link to J.L. Johnson's website.

And so... here are some photos of some of the art at REVLIS...

artwork by Frank Andrade

artwork by Zack Meyer

artwork by Guillermo Gomez

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

9:365

Some days are the kind where you wish you would have/ could have ... stayed in bed. Lazy days where the bed seems way too comfortable to leave... and the floors seem way to cold to be on....

Today was one of those days. My dear hubby is sick today... something that only happens about once a year. It is cold and dreary out. ......And yet, today was also the last day to submit entries in my "give-away" --- me giving gifts in celebration of this blog site being one year old. So it was with excitement that I went through all the mail that I had received ... tallying up who all had entered..... And so... in the next few days I will be getting addresses from some lucky winners... who will each get a present in the mail.

So, today I did some laundry, picked up the house a bit... took my photo for my "Photo a Day project; year 2010".....made wontons and rice.... ran a couple of errands....went to a Pampered Chef Party briefly....and got back home in time to make my honey some tea and make sure he had taken some medicine.

Tuck yourselves in ... dear readers. Read a good book, watch a good movie... snuggle with someone you love. See you all tomorrow :)

Living Simply tip for the day: Get enough sleep for you. Don't be embarrassed if you have the opportunity and inclination to take a nap. Likewise, if you do better on less sleep... enjoy the extra time doing something you love. This will ultimately reduce your stress, increase your health and well-being... and will make your life much more simple.

""The first thing experts will tell you about sleep is that there is no "magic number." Not only do different age groups need different amounts of sleep, but sleep needs are also individual. Just like any other characteristics you are born with, the amount of sleep you need to function best may be different for you than for someone who is of the same age and gender.""

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

stev-o

photo by Elaine A. Russell

Sometimes you need signs. Like the other day when I was roaming about downtown near UNM. I found this fabulous graffiti on the sidewalk "Stev-O... follow the arrows."

Woudn't it be great if the powers that be gave us such explicit directions to follow thru life ?
Course, I realize that having such clear direction might take some of the adventure out of it all.. but there are days when I wish I had the "owner's manual" or signs on the sidewalk to help out ....

Nice guy -- awesome sign

-----------------------------------------photo by Elaine Russell

So -- I love Central Ave here in ABQ. I love to just walk up and down and window shop and talk to everyone.. and then go get some great food at the Frontier Restaurant or a coffee at any number of shops.

So -- here I am walking down the street and there is this lovely guy... selling art.. and holding the most fab sign I've ever seen in my life. After talking for about 15 minutes, he let me take his photo, and I even got to purchase one of his girlfriend's original art pieces. FABULOUS !

It's a good day.