If you’ve ever contacted, applied, worked with or ordered from Sugarluxe, chances are - you’ve communicated with Lindsay. If you haven’t met her…please allow me to introduce you to someone who is wonderfully precious to me - Lindsay Robinson.

But first things first…whenever I have publicly spoken so highly of someone, I immediately invite poachers. I understand that. It’s really no different than the chance I take every time I share a new piece of art or a recent illustration. If I put it out there, it could be stolen. But I can’t spend my time worrying about the people who do that kind of thing. I want to share…my work, my passion and most of all, my appreciation for people I adore.

Lindsay is one of those people.

Graduating in May and wise beyond her 22 years, she is so smart, caring and devoted. Every day that she is at work, she is a burst of sunshine and add to that, she is never late, never gripes and comes in with a can-do attitude, I feel blessed that this wonderful human being is in my life.

Sure, I don’t sound like a normal boss. That’s probably because I’m not. I don’t subscribe to traditional bossery. I know that respecting your staff, welcoming their ideas, allowing them to fail and encouraging them to succeed creates loyalty and a cohesive team.

I can’t take credit for Lindsay being so ultimately fabulous…she is just that way. Her parents are as charming as any parents could ever be, her boyfriend, Andy (studying abroad in Barcelona right now) is a doll and her friends love her endlessly. She is just a gem, no doubt about it.

So is it all about luck of the draw?

Well, sorta.

But my guy friends say it this way: GAME RECOGNIZES GAME!

It’s true. Plus girls need to talk more about being tight and bringing ‘game’. So, I’m saying it here…in all my girly A-Game glory, that’s what it’s about.

I dread sounding preachy. I am not one to tell people how to do anything, really. That’s how it works in our studio anyway. It’s different on a blog because I can’t pack everyone into the studio to prove it. But mostly, I don’t tell — I just do. And it’s through my actions that I hope to inspire and attract like-minded people.

Might I possibly be too attached? Always.

But I have a long list of wonderful friends who started out working with or for me over the years. I spend more time at work than any other place in my life…so when someone is going to get that close and I get to choose, they have to be someone I will adore.

Lindsay: you are uniquely special to me. I’m so proud of you and everything you’ve learned. I couldn’t be happier than to start each day with your drive - a perfect match for my determination. It takes guts to step into the amount of responsibility you’ve taken on - but you’ve got what it takes. You will always succeed at whatever you set your mind to.

With Love & Octiwinkles,

C

Popularity: 44%

Less than 3% of the artists in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art are women, but 85% of the nudes are female. - Guerrilla Girls

Now, I’m not saying the Guerrilla Girls would feel compelled to rally behind Sugarluxe, considering its basis in mainstream glam. But perhaps they would applaud my own unique FEMINIST pursuit to increase opportunities for marginalized female artists.

The word Feminist…or the “F” word as it may be to some - is to me about equality. Always has been. And fundamentally, those who know how to look beneath the surface of my art, already know that.

So, how do I combat the sad fact that females are more likely to be on display in museums as a nude rendering than as a talented artist? Well, surprisingly enough…it was with one little belt buckle.

Even acquaintances of mine have seemed surprised when they started seeing Sugarluxe paintings, my permanent installation at the Hotel Des Arts, or my reproductions on canvas in the gallery sections of home decor stores.

“Oh, I had no idea that you were going to do anything besides belt buckles.” said one girl.

Never underestimate the power of the inconspicuous. A bigger plan is always at play!

That’s my advice to any aspiring artist who actually wants to make a living doing what they love.

We have to move past the antiquated, traditional assertions of what art is and define it for ourselves, for our generation and for this chapter in history. Make it accessible, no matter its form. Art is Everywhere!

So, when I was asked to do a signing and trunk show at The Blanton Museum of Art, I felt I must.

Now here’s where gets a bit sticky…

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Popularity: 56%

After selecting 64 stellar resumes to review [submissions without a cover letter were not considered] and holding two sets of group interviews, we finally decided on two sweet, very smart girlies for our Sugarluxe Spring Internship Program. They = Hurray!

Both just completed training and now work about 15-20 hours a week. Unpaid.

FREE LABOR? Maybe to some.

For me - the process of finding the perfect candidate is not unlike the glycolic peel I recently put myself through. At first you kind of dread it, you invariably find a few flakes along the way, but because you endured the procedure, in a matter of weeks it pays off…there’s a renewed youthfulness and everything feels FRESH again!

Plus — every intern I’ve had — ROCKS! Why? They:

1. are more open to change.
2. have no sense of entitlement.
3. bring great, new ideas.
4. are eager and enthusiastic (which makes my day so much better!)
5. show ambition, rather than drowning me in utter complacency.

But really caring about and developing a University Intern is a ton of work…if you’re like me and want to make a long lasting impact, it’s worth every minute.

Here’s the thing… (more…)

Popularity: 47%