Someone on Linkedin.com asked me what the purpose was of a particular blog post, as if, perhaps, I appear as a scatter brain all over the place artist, like I have no purpose, maybe?  On the same day, a reader professed a non-stalker style (he assured) love for me and my personality.

This all necessitated another one of my existential meditation quests.  Who am I, and what am I doing here?  I paint in oils with collage, paper collage, watercolors and encaustics, and have many different looks to my work – the symbology look, the abstract expressionism one….  I also like to draw realistically.

I am a visual artist who has had gallery representation in the past and is seeking it again, an artist who wants to sell my work in whatever/wherever the venue.  In this case, it is on the internet – on this blog, on shopify on redbubble and through other social media – my Facebook like page and now on Instagram.

I broke down and entered the new millennium, and purchased a smart phone.  Now I can tackle instagramming my head off, because I had read it is the place for savvy art business peeps.

I am also a person who loves fashion, something that seems to go against the rules of the starving artist.  I can’t help it.  I posted about Karen Bakke’s fashion illustrations last week and in a previous post, shared my sewing skills with costume design.

When I first started this blog, it was to share only my artwork.  Then it snowballed into the what-I-want-you-to-know-about-me more three dimensional me.  Kind of a let the chips fall where they may and by chips, I guess I mean the puzzle pieces of my persona.   I am many things and I can’t pigeonhole myself into being one person, place or thing.

Last weekend I was a judge for a juried exhibition of artwork.  It was sponsored by the local penwomen association.  I used my expertise as an art critic, something I don’t technically do when I blog about local art shows.  And I do that because I feel like you can’t just exist alone in a small city art community.  I’ve always believed that we Syracuse artists can be successful together as a team rather than going the lone wolf route.

I’m not being paid to blog, so why not blog about whatever art related topic is going on in my world or in my head, or whatever.  I love writing, and it seems like maybe that is what I’m doing here, to answer that linkedin woman’s question.

With that said, I’m really fascinated by the job of fashion blogger. That it is a job, I guess.  Something that would have appealed to me when  I was in college and still does.

Now that I am on Instagram.com (my handle is karen_tashkovski), I’ve decided to post #ootd, which stands for outfit of the day, if you don’t know the lingo.  Someone takes a picture of me so that I can post my head-to-toe fashion and in this way I am a fashion blogger too!

My favorite designer is Trina Turk.  She liked the above picture on Instagram as did shopBailey44 because I’m wearing a Bailey 44 top. Those likes totally made my life.  They really did.  Because it still fascinates me that the world has become so small that you can reach out to your favorite _______, whether it be designer, fashion house, famous artist or celebrity, and they will respond with a little red heart.

That positive energy blows my mind.  It is such a feel good feeling!

My work look is about layering.  I pretty much always top it all off with a cardigan (or blazer).  Long sleeves are difficult because my hands are in all sorts of things from clay and plaster to paint.  I’m constantly washing and drying them, so I usually remove the sweater and add an apron or smock and maybe a pencil or two behind the ear.

I worked five days straight and I can’t remember the last time that happened what with all the snow days we’ve had, the superintendent’s conference days without kids (technically still work, but you know what I mean), the bout with the flu and vacations.  I’m thinking of doing a dress or skirt week soon.  Well, as soon as it stops freaking snowing here in the ‘cuse.

No #ootd today.  I’m still in my pjs (Calvin Klein).