If I had started a blog prior to completing the Sugarluxe Room (504) for the Hotel Des Arts…I can only imagine what I might have written during the process.  It was exhilarating, grueling, exhausting, freezing. And toward the end of the project, it was sort of a blur. 

On the second to last day, I do remember calling Patty Williams, my lifesaver holding down the fort (studio) back home. I was teary-eyed, tired and sore. Patty is not only incredibly smart and sweet, she happens to have a Masters Degree in Social Work, which comes in handy when you’re feeling blue.  How lucky am I that this is the second time I’d hired Patty.  First in my former life at a corporation and then later into my own company.  Patty is amazing and I love her.

And even when I was 1,000 miles away, she was and is always there for me. It was one of the coldest winters in San Francisco. More importantly, I received a phone call from my folks in the middle of the project to tell me that my dear 20 year old cousin, Elliot Arnold, passed away in his sleep - no one knew why.  I was beyond devastated and during the last days of painting, I was in a daze from the unbelievable news. I could barely hold my paintbrush…my hand would shake and my fingers were numb. It was not an easy time to be filled with creative energy. But like everything I cherish in life, I realized that the things which require the most work, can end up being the most rewarding. 

The Hotel Des Arts is like that for me.

And the Sugarluxe Room is dedicated to Elliot.  So, obviously, it’s important to me on many levels.

To some, it might just seem like a good place to show off your art if given the great opportunity.  It is.  The hotel features the work of some of the most prominent, cutting-edge artists alive today.   

To others, it may seem that the art is disjointed and doesn’t look upscale enough to compete with the W Hotel down the street.  It can’t.  It won’t.  Thank God!

Which is why I love this place so much.

You can connect to the heart (emphasis on the art) and soul that is core to this boutique hotel.  It is alive with ideas, passion and purpose created BY people FOR people who appreciate the independent spirit that fills every inch of this place.  It is not ultra-fancy, but there is nothing else like it.  And that’s why every time I head back to San Francisco, this is EXACTLY where I want to stay.

The recent NEW ART ‘08 SHOW presented by START SOMA afforded me an excellent opportunity (excuse) to go back (as I do several times a year) but this particular show fell on the date of my 5 year wedding anniversary…and because we hadn’t had a vacation since our honeymoon (thanks to our never ending work schedules)…my wonderful guy and I contemplated getting away to a place where we could get some much needed R&R.

As we considered all of our options, the zillions of places we could go, we still chose to visit all of our friends, artists and the cool people at the Hotel Des Arts.  I guess we could’ve gone to SFO and stayed somewhere else in town…maybe a romantic little B&B.  But we didn’t want to.  Why?  Because staying at the Hotel Des Arts rocks!

Let me clarify something though…I don’t get paid to say this.  I don’t get commissions on the bookings (although that is a fabulous idea because during my latest trip there, the owner/hotelier Rich Singer said that the Sugarluxe Room is the most requested room to date!!)  Maybe that’s because I am always raving about it.  But still, it’s fantastic to stay right in the middle of everything.

The hotel is located in Union Square right across the street from the main gate into Chinatown.  It’s down the street from the Financial District and one street away from the BEST shopping in the city.  It’s a mere $5 cab ride to the pier and 15 steps to the closest bowl of Bulgogi.  Don’t love Korean Food like I do? That’s cool, there are hundreds of other amazing restaurants within blocks of the hotel.  The escargot in the little French restaurant next door is to die for too.

True. The rooms are fairly small. If you’ve done much traveling in Europe, you are more accustomed to this.   But if you want something super affordable, you want to be in the best location, and you don’t plan to stay in the room the entire time, it’s so worth it.

Another awesome thing worth noting…many people have written to say that they weren’t staying at the hotel but wanted to see the Sugarluxe Room.  The staff always tries to accommodate you if the currently booked guests would allow them to give a peek and so, many times even when you are not a guest of the hotel, you can go get a quick tour.

My experience might be skewed.  When I walk in the door, I get treated like a total Rock Star.  Admittedly, it’s an amazing feeling to get that kind of welcome and one that makes you quite fond of all who shower you with such affection.  That might not be the same reception everyone gets…which if it were…would not make me feel any less special, but regardless – there was a point in time at which I was completely unknown to the staff and I still had great service. 

So, for my 5th Anniversary, I had the most wonderful time possible. 

The art show was so much fun.  John Doffing – the genuis behind the hotel’s concept and the START SOMA Gallery treated us to more good times and more great meals than I could have dreamed.

I was able to visit with many friends and see their newest works. And the manager even reserved the Sugarluxe Room for us…which every time I go back, I must confess, I’m a little nervous to see.  I’m the type who wants to always change or improve something and can’t ever leave well enough alone. 

I could do more to the bathroom or fix the wall that used to be hidden by an old armoire and is now exposed because it was replaced with a new flat screen tv. 

But I’m trying really hard to learn to be content.  Kind of like with my own body…every thing seems to need a tweak here or a wrinkle removed there…but my art and I are trying to grow older gracefully…

Oh yes, and for those who don’t know about my longtime fascination with carnivals, funnel cakes and cotton candy, just thought I would share the inspiration behind the Sugarluxe Room.   This is from the carnival that comes and sets up twice a year right down the street from my studio and the trailer of goodies that delight my senses (artistically and otherwise)…  

Yummy!

Taffeta?  Check.

Baby tee?  Check.

Black tennies with teeny little skulls that look like cherries?  Check.

Flower in hair because I will never stop loving flowers in hair?  Check.

And oh yes…artwork installed?  Check.  Interns on time?  Check.  Interview on TV?  Check.  Art lovers everywhere for big Sugarluxe Show?  Check.

Hail balls the size of sno-cones?  Um…

I checked…the Weather Channel said 96 degrees and sunny all day.  Sugarluxe?  She say bad words under breath at massive hail balls.

Waaaaaaauuuugghhhhhhh!!!

Well, it was supposed to be perfect weather (except maybe for the 100% humidity making the 96 degrees feel like 110) but hey, we were moved inside and we worked our BUTTS off to create this showcase. 

As you know, it was a charity benefit for the Austin Children’s Shelter and the weather wasn’t going to stop us from selling every single painting. 

Or…was it?

We started the show opening early just for mid-day shoppers.  However, the special events director thought it would be better for us to save our energy for the 6-9pm crowd.  I really didn’t mind hanging out and mingling all day…as long as we were ready for the 7 o’clock rush hour later. 

The Sugarluxe girls looked like beautiful little rosebuds despite loading in tons O’ crap that morning…I was ready to sign magazines, hug lots of people, kiss sweet smellin’ babies and sell large scale works of art (most - NEVER before available pieces) in an effort to raise awareness and money for ACS…

And then this…Large Hail and Dangerous Lightning Hits the Austin Metro Area.

But alas, if you thought it was all sweet here in candyland (or if I somehow fooled you into thinking that way) then it’s time to come clean…some days just SUCK!!!!

However, if I can at all help it, we try to make sucky situations better.  I used to get so frustrated with my mom who has ALWAYS pointed out the bright side to EVERYTHING.  Now, I realize that the bright side (thank you MOM!) is a perspective that aids survival. 

Here’s the bright side of Saturday:

My interns are about to graduate, so we can’t help but be excited about that. I did get time with friends who I hadn’t seen in ages (and typically, I never get time to talk to them at our shows). I saw, held and kissed many babies (self-pity alert: a bit harder right now considering I am going on FIVE years of no two pink lines on my pregnancy tests).  And we did sit with jaws dropped when we watched the band disappear and people fleeing the show in droves as they dodged huge chunks of ice falling from the sky (we were seriously concerned about people’s safety and our cars) but when things feel a bit hopeless…you can either laugh, or you can completely lose your mind. 

So, what can a group of really disappointed girls do?

What else? Get a glass of wine and toast to good times.

That’s how it is around here.  Many things never work out as we plan.  But we DO try to make the best of it.  Stuff happens every day making us want to pull our hair out…but I’m trying to learn that some things just can’t be helped.

As a control freak  perfectionist  person who wants everything to be a major success, sometimes, it’s just hard to admit that things like, you know, weather, getting pregnant, and sold out shows are not completely up to me.

Luckily, when we were doing the installation for the show, the fabulouso Central Market asked if I would be willing to have the art in there for 6 weeks!

ABSO(freakin)LUTELY.

Now, after weathering Saturday’s storm, I am even happier that the good people at Central Market responded to the work so well as to ask us to display/SELL (subliminal message to buy) over the next couple of months…giving us WAY more time to help raise money for the abused children who need this shelter and care from the wonderful people who work there. 

So, if you’ve ever wanted Sugarluxe for your walls, won’t you please consider buying now?

The pieces are signed, numbered and many are Artist Proofs with an enclosed Sugarluxe Certificate of Authenticity on the back.  Very cool, very limited and for a very good cause. 

All artwork is currently located at the original Central Market on North Lamar in Austin, Texas and most will be available until June 30, 2008.

Whenever I seem to disappear…you can usually bet we’re working on something pretty exciting at SUGARLUXE!

Not only are we weeks away from the soft launch of a new collection into one of the largest retailers of “better home goods” (and it’s still kinda secret or I would tell you more)…but we were absolutely determined to pull it off at the same time as a major art show.

Saturday, May 10th marked the 1st Annual Art & Soul Showcase featuring Sugarluxe Art to raise money and awareness for victims of child abuse. Central Market  hosted the event and we couldn’t have been more pleased to be brought into a venue recently named:  “the top gathering destination in the city”.

In fact, up to the very last minute, I was stressing over the completion of new large scale Artist Proof pieces and to make them available at this show FIRST. That means that a few are 1 of only 15 proofs on canvas.  PLUS – everything sold benefits the Austin Children’s Shelter.

The GREAT news is — you don’t have to be in Austin to get these pieces.  Even though they are on display in this big fabulous store in Central Texas, they can be purchased and shipped nationwide!

Here are some important reasons why we created this showcase:

1. The Austin Children’s Shelter recently lost their much needed funding from the United Way.
2. More than 50% of children under age five who are victims of homicide are killed by a parent.
3. One out of every seven victims of sexual assault reported to law enforcement were under the age of six.

I have been an avid supporter of ACS and it is beyond my comprehension that anyone could ever hurt, abuse or neglect a child.  Actually, it hurts my stomach so much, that every time I was trying to get through the unbelievable amount of work I had on my plate…I stopped to remember why it’s so important to do what each of us can.

Whether you donate your time, talent, money or all of the above…every little bit helps when it comes to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children.

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. For me anyway, 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…

Some of the people who work at this fine establishment were wholeheartedly enthused about Sugarluxe. The fab art aficianado who brought us in, Alyssa Klossner, is awesome!

But let’s face it…I know some people thumb their nose at artists who experience any commercial success whatsoever.  Nevermind that most museum gift shops are chock full of the licensed artwork of dead masters.  Picasso pens, Monet mugs and Klimt calendars – just for starters.

Anyway, I made a commitment. And I always stick to my word.

When I arrived – I was speechless. How could I help but not feel honored.

This museum is incredibly beautiful. It also happens to be the LARGEST university art museum in the country and an announcement of the event was sent by the museum to thousands and thousands of its members, so I certainly appreciated the PR too.

Sure, when it came right down to it, they wanted to sell my belt buckles and other fashion accessories to make money for the Museum Gift Shop and that’s what got me in the door. But when we finished setting up, I walked to the bathroom across the huge naturally lit atrium and looked back at all my artwork on display and thought – WOW – this is definitely a start.

The afternoon ended up being a complete pleasure. This was the first show for our new interns and they did an incredible job!

I met a bunch of great people and saw some old friends that have supported me for years. That’s what matters the most. It’s hard for me to get out and do these shows when I am so exhausted from the effort it took to get there in the first place, but then I remember the whole point when I see so many sweet faces!

A tremendous heartfelt thanks to writer, Mari Johnson who waited patiently for me to get a moment to do an interview. Her coverage was not only glorious, she was such a blast to talk to. She was so smart and sincere, if it weren’t for her kicking off my day…it would not have been such a great event. Thank you so much Mari!

And thank you for getting the article picked up by Lucire. Lucire is an online global fashion magazine based in New Zealand and launched in print in New Zealand, Romania, and Thailand, with a special US issue each year, making it the first web title to branch into print internationally.

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
- Andy Warhol

MUSEUM UPDATE: 

October 9, 2008, AUSTIN, Texas — The Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin will become the largest university museum in the United States when it opens its Edgar A. Smith Building in November.

The new structure, along with the celebrated Mari and James A. Michener Gallery Building, marks the completion of the Blanton complex.

“The Smith Building completes the museum facility,” said Ann Wilson, interim director of the Blanton, “opens up new opportunities for education and finally allows us to offer a total visitor experience.”

In celebration, several events are scheduled throughout November, culminating with a public grand opening party on Nov. 16. Visitors will have an opportunity to browse the newly expanded museum shop and sample treats from the new Blanton café. There will be music performances by The Guy Forsyth Trio and others, film screenings, art activities and a book signing by noted New York art historian and critic Jed Perl.

The Edgar A. Smith Building contains a 299-seat auditorium, the new Blanton café and a museum shop that will offer an expanded book selection, jewelry, children’s toys, designer chocolates and a large assortment of items made by local artists/artisans, including artist Chandra Michaels of Sugarluxe and jewelry from Igrid Kuper. A new line of “ART IS…” merchandise (inspired by the Blanton’s advertising tagline) is being developed and will include totes, umbrellas and more.

The Smith Building was named in honor of Edgar A. Smith, a University of Texas at Austin alumnus and member of the Chancellor’s Council. Smith, a prominent supporter of the university and veteran of the oil and gas industry, lives in Houston.

Designed by Kallman McKinnell & Wood Architects, Inc. of Boston, the Smith Building was planned to complement the Michener Building, and to use the Larry and Mary Ann Faulkner Plaza in between the two, creating a gateway to the university and community.

Learn more about the College of Fine Arts