Rock of Love
Do you watch Rock of Love on Vh1? I do. I can’t help it.
But girls ripping each other apart for the sake of 1) winning 2) a man 3) their 15 minutes of fame…goes against everything I stand for. So why do I secretly record every episode and then watch in delight as females fight tooth and nail over Bret Michaels?
Um, well…I guess because in my heart of hearts, I cannot deny it. I was, am and will always be a rocker chick. The musician obsession started when I was about 8. My parents hoped that I would grow out of it. I never did. I can’t help it.
I’ve also dated two Doctors, a Lawyer, a Baseball Player, a Morning DJ, and a Duke (okay, I didn’t officially date The Duke)
One night in Toronto, downtown with my girls, I met a guy from The Royal Family. Somehow, we all ended up back at his brownstone. Whilst showing me his art collection and discussing his cottage in the country (cottage meaning sprawling estate) I had a cocktail or four in an attempt to cope with my feelings of inferiority. Due to the unavoidable intoxication that ensued, I cried out in front of everyone that he was clearly a “condescending art snob.”
So let this be a lesson to you too, should you ever encounter the opportunity to become a duchess…
Moonshine and Monet don’t mix.
My best friend, Karen, will definitely chime in if I get the details wrong. Even with my lack of diplomacy, I think The Duke asked me to marry him that night. On his knee in the middle of the street…he apparently fancied me as a feisty starving artist type. Earlier misgivings aside, I quickly considered how cool I would look wearing a crown.
Karen, fearful that the whiskey would make me do something I might regret, hurled me into a cab and I waved goodbye. To The Duke. To the cottage in the country. And for a long while…to my dignity.
Returning to my homeland, I realized, I was meant for a musician. Every other guy I had dated between the ages of 15-25 – a musician. Guitar players were first choice, singers second. Guitar players who sing? JACKPOT!
That’s how I met Bob. Bob Michaels.
He was playing on stage. Oh MY GOD. Singing, playing his ’69 Gibson Guitar with girls crawling all over him. Yup, that’s my type. After two tumultous years, we called it quits. I was devastated. But in retrospect, I’m glad it ended when it did because that was actually the beginning of our true friendship. We became best friends over the next ten years. It’s a long gooey story, but since my last name is Michaels, you can probably figure out how it goes. We were made for each other. It just took us a long time to figure that out.
Bob is a talented musican and brilliant business man. He is a risk taker and he gives me the freedom and the emotional support to be one too. It’s not an easy life we’ve carved out for ourselves. Two entrepreneurs in separate, but creative fields with no guaranteed paycheck and working in different studios on what might as well be opposite ends of the world. We don’t get to see each other enough, but every time I come home, he greets me with the same two seemingly simple words – Hi Sugar!
And in an instant, I fall in love all over again. I can’t help it.
So, after years of creating artwork inspired by and for women. This is my first piece made for a man. My man. My true Rock of Love.
Here is my initial sketch.
And here is the next step.
UPDATE: Here is the final piece that can now be purchased as an Artist’s Proof online.
‘Whilst’ the idea of visiting you in various royal residences across the globe certainly had a strong appeal, I knew you were meant for better.
Bob rocks – in so many ways…and you don’t even have to be 3 (or 4 or 5) sheets to the wind to appreciate it!
By the way, I stand by my comment that the word behind the rocker chick just may be ‘rack’, not rock!!
(I was glued to Rock of Love, too. Damn that trashy and compelling, pseudo-reality, highly addictive TV drivel!)
Twitter: Sugarluxe
says:
Karen — my dear lovely friend!
We have had SO many good times together, do I dare share more? Either way, thank you for years of sweetness and support.
You’ve seen boyfriends come and go…I’m so glad you’ve always known Bob was really THE ONE.
But I do miss our Sunday nights of Sex in the City and Shane cooking for us so I didn’t have to stay home by myself and eat bacon bit sandwiches.
I LOVE YOU!
YOU ARE TOO AWESOME FOR WORDS CHANDRA! We Texas girls do what we must – promote those that do fabulous things in this big fab world! Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I am so star struck right now that it’s unreal!
Best,
Gabrielle
Twitter: artisticflair
says:
Your artwork makes me speechless! WOW! I LOVE it, its totally fab – you rule! I’m glad I found your blog – I will keep checking back!
I love the painting!! Can I use it on my Blog??
http://www.badcreditgirl.com
I will link back to you!!
XOXO – Niki
Twitter: Sugarluxe
says:
Gabrielle and Deb – if you were here right now, I’d give you the biggest hugs ever. It really is a huge blessing to get to do the things I do and more importantly, have people that find something special about it.
Thank you ever so much. It means everything to me.
Twitter: Sugarluxe
says:
Niki – I love your blog! How clever and OH MY – how I do relate.
AND – I sure appreciate you writing for permission to use the image. That is super cool of you and much respect for doing so.
Where specifically would you like to use it? For an entry? Just lemme know
Here’s a link to the Artist’s Proofs we just unveiled online last week:
Rock Candy by Sugarluxe – http://www.sugarluxe.com/products/wallart/wa015/wa015_cw2736.htm
I love this piece! I love all your pieces. I was at Z Gallerie in the STL Galleria today and saw Fabulous and had to do some research on the artist. If only my $0, just out of grad school, struggling author salary could afford you! Love the story and everything about the strong, independent women in your art!
Inspired,
Niki
Kudos to the other person who spells Niki the awesome way!!!
Twitter: Sugarluxe
says:
Hi Niki – my dear sweet, keeprofstarlite!
Thank you so much for writing and commenting. First, because, well…it just feels awesome when someone tells me that they’ve gone to the trouble of finding out about what I do…
But also, because your comment is so honest — just like your blog.
I can tell that you are someone who is genuine and really, really good at communicating your thoughts (which is never easy and always makes me feel vulnerable.) I hope you keep writing all the time!
And one more thing…I wish I could place this comment that you wrote on every one of my entries. It most succinctly nails the exact reason why I have created a brand from my artwork.
I have never wanted it to be unattainable (and after college, for most it might be) but also that it isn’t so saturated that no one ever aspires to have it. Striking a balance. That’s what I try really hard to do.
Plus, I relate so much to what you say, I know it well. Starving, struggling, risking it all with little money to live on. But I will always recommend to anyone brave enough to stomach the challenges…if you can stick with it, it will all be worth it!
If you survived GRAD SCHOOL, you can do anything. Congratulations – now that ROCKS!
Peace & Prosperity to you always,
Chandra