My upcoming series "Home Sweet Home" is inspired by the bifurcate ideals of home. When I moved back to Houston the environment was different than how I remembered it. Places seem smaller, less vibrant, and the reality of people I once knew was different. This reality made me realize everyone has two circumstantial thoughts of home one our memory of home in our youth and two the present reality of our home. Both ideas are our home but different recollections and times of it. Combining both ideals using 2D elements representing my memory and 3D elements representing the reality Home sweet home was created. When I was a child everything was bright and in technicolor, often kiddish, and simple. I was obsessed with stars, space, and constantly was alone. My brother didn't share a similar interest to me as a result of our eight years age difference, and I lived in an older neighborhood where I was the youngest person on my street. The only person I had to keep me company with was my grandfather. We didn't live in reality but in a fantasy world created through my imagination. The flatness of the 2D elements will reflect my childhood-like spirit and the memories of the places in my compositions. The reality aspect of each composition will be sculpted items. The concept of Houston as home was a notion I had to learn to appreciate in time. ​​

Grandpa: "What are we going to do today Britt?"
5 Year Old Britt: "Let's go fishing using sticks and leaves"
Grandpa: "Okay let's get our bucket and go to the back yard"

My memories of my grandfather are some of the most cherished moments I possess of my childhood. I didn't realize it then but my grandfather nourished not only my creativity as a child but my imagination. Although he was an adult he possessed a child-like spirit. Whenever I went to my paternal grandparents' house I had the best of both worlds. My grandmother was the average Texas southern baptist who dressed to perfection. Feathers, pearls, and hot pink were some of Vera's favorite things. When my grandmother was around I had a strict schedule.  

7:00 AM- My mother dropped me off where I would sleep until 8:00 AM
9:00 AM- Breakfast time in the kitchen with my grandfather
Grandpa: "What's your order today Britt?" 
Me: "I would like my eggs sunny side up with my bacon crispy but burnt a-little with toast and black coffee"
Grandpa: "you got it"!
11:00 AM- I would sneak into my grandmother's jewelry box and try on her pearls 
12:00 PM- 1:00 PM My grandpa would sneak me out of the house to play outside with my cat Dina  
1:00 PM- Nap time FOR EVERYONE!
2:00 PM- 2:30 PM Teatime with grandma 
2: 30 PM- 3:15 PM Cartoons on UPN with grandpa
3:15 PM- My father came to pick me up to go home

My grandmother taught me about the beauty in jewelry, etiquette values, and how to be refined in society. While my grandfather taught me how to see the humor in life and how to escape from reality. I was allowed to be a child as a child should be and for that, I am forever grateful. My grandfather taught me how to possess a childlike spirit into adulthood that continues to fuel my creativity. My mind is where I live and where I see them both. "Bennington Ave" will be the second artwork in the "Home Sweet Home" series dedicated to my grandparents. Within the artwork lies their home as I remember it from my childhood. Their house was white with grass green trim and an enclosed verandah. In front of the verandah lies a botanical garden behind a bench. Although their house is gone and stands as a vacant lot engulfed by grass their house stands the test of time engraved in my mind. My hope now from this moment on is in viewing  "Bennington Ave" bring you, the viewer the same magnitude of joy I experienced in this white green trim house with the magical garden. 

It’s finally Thursday! This has truly been the slowest most horrible week ever. I am one of the unfortunate Houstonians who lost power and water this week due to the winter storm.  I lost power Sunday night and remained powerless for two days. Houston hasn't been this cold in February for at least 122 years. Temperatures reached as low as 10 degrees with sleet, snow, and iced roads. During the blackout, my time was distributed in my bed under four blankets because my house was 45 degrees and in my car to charge appliances. By day three power was restored to my home but with rolling blackouts. Every four hours we lost power for at least an hour. Nevertheless, some power was better than none. As for water on day three it was none existent upstairs with low water pressure downstairs. Day four we have power with low water pressure and toilets have to be refilled with water we stored in our tub to flush. Although I feel as if I have been through hell and back I still smile and relish the small wins such as power. Moments like these remind me of similar emotions I felt when I created my painting  “Usps gloom technologies euphoria”. This college is the perfect college that was created when I encountered an equally gloomy time in 2012. The models all smile but what is behind the smile could they all be in denial of their circumstances or even their reality. We all hide the pain with a smile at some time or another. What pain could Mona Lisa be hiding behind the smile that she neglects to go admit?