creativityUNLEASHED by traci bautista

nomad.gypsy.wanderer

It's been some time since I've posted on my blog...if anyone is still out there reading and wondering where I've been...well I've been TRAVELING quite a bit.

NOMAD: a person who does not stay long in the same place; a wanderer

Recently, I visited the new offices of Stampington & Co., to visit Jenny with my good friend Lisa. While there I discovered the wonderful work of Danita, who has a painting called "NOMAD", depicting a girl pulling a house on wheels. The painting is so fitting with what is going on in my life now. I've been on the road for the past year, traveling with my studio and house in a few suitcases.  In the past six months, I have had AMAZING travel journeys to Bali, Japan, Australia and throughout the US. I thought I'd share a few pictures for now until I have time to write more.

 

rice paddies in Bali

fishing boats in AMED 

beautiful Balinese kids with Teletubbies

Naritasan Temple Japan

monterey fishermans wharf with the fam

vintage cameras @ TYABB antique market AUSTRALIA

dinner @ chocalate buddha FEDERATION square Melbourne

fafi graffiti on hosier lane in MELBOURNE 

flying over SYDNEY 

FREEDOM in my handbag in LA

shopping in PADDINGTON 

traveling studio 

vanessa painting @ my MELBOURNE workshop

vanessa's painting

the view from my hawaii office for a day

a piece from my recent heart collage series

a NEW journal: the traveler triptych

my partner in crime Brenda @ the PLAYBOY club in VEGAS

hangin with my girlz @ TAO BEACH LV

enjoying the sunset @ WAIMEA  BAY north shore hawaii

earth.wind &fire concert HONOLULU

I've had so many wonderful experiences over the past few months...I will share more soon. I leave you with this video of the great Earth, Wind & Fire concert. I had a blast!

merry christmas!

	merry christmas.        thank you.             blessings.     wishing you joy.                      touching lives. inspiration.                                                                  sharing stories & ART.                            live.love.        be free.                                             {COLLAGE UNLEASHED}                                                do what you love.  beautiful life.                          HaPpy New yeaR!

	This year I have been blessed with many wonderful opportunities to share my artwork and creative spirit with you. My workshops have taken me on adventures all over the country and introduced me to artists from around the world.  Thank you for touching my life. Wishing you and yours a beautiful holiday season!  Here's to many blessings, good health and a prosperous 2008. Artfully... Traci

	www.treicdesigns.com

the sights & sounds of VENICE BEACH...

Lately I've been on a writing hiatus, I've been quiet on my blog for the past few months. So if anyone is still reading my blog, I'm back :) People always ask me about "creative blocks" and what I do when I get them. Well, I guess I've been in one for the past few months. Not short on creative ideas but on time to execute and room to create.  In March, I moved to Venice Beach, so my world has been full of packing and unpacking for the past six months in between all my traveling for events and workshops. So finally...I feel like I'm settling into my home here in Southern California. Las Vegas wasn't my cup of tea and I decided that for now I wanted to live by the water. So I settled on Venice Beach.

Each day is a new discovery... a new sight...a new sound.  Venice is an interesting town, there is a saying about Venice, "It's where art meets crime." There are pockets you don't want to be walking alone at night, but then right around the corner you'll find the most amazing sunset and peacefulness on the edge of the beach.

It's fun to spend a Sunday afternoon on Abbot Kinney Blvd. exploring the myriad of random boutiques and thrift type stores with Beverly Hills type price tags. Chill out on the lanai at Mediternia Cafe for brunch or grab a panini at Strouh's Gourmet. There is also a Pinkberry (which I haven't figured out the big rage)  It's basically yogurt with a bunch of fruit and cereal. Go figure...it's LA! Then wind down during the early evening with a glass of wine at one of the neighborhood bars like The Other Room (you can bring your dog) or the BRIG.

But I have to say, my favorite thing to do is to take a beach cruiser ride from the Venice Pier to Santa Monica/Pacific Palisades along the "colorful" beachfront of hippies, artists, homeless, kids playing on the beach, rollerbladers, runners, surfers and people enjoying the water. One other area I recently discovered, the beautiful Venice canals. They are full of lush foliage and luxurious waterfront homes and lofts. I'm looking forward to discovering more of Venice during my bike rides...ahhh SUMMER's here! Check out a video that my good friend Zach took on one of our recent sunset cruises.