Whitney Houston - Rest in Peace

Hi Everyone!  I know I've been a little behind with my blog postings of late. I had eye surgery last month, so I'll attribute my absence to that. I had a new lens put in my left eye.  I can see again!  I guess my art might change a little?  Also, I'm back into the swing of working seven days a week.  Oh when am I going to win that darn lottery so that I can once again focus my time on my creativity rather than paying the bills. Okay, attitude of gratitude at least I'm not living on the streets.  I'm also happy that I'm not chained to playing bar gigs for now.
I don't mind the first two hours (at least when I'm playing with good musicians, and I can solo and/or I can sing a few songs), but the last two hours are so intolerably boring.  There is just so much spit I can wipe off my face from the conversations with drunks.
   I held my artist 'Meet and Greet' last month at The Scotch and Vine.  Some fabulous musicians came and played the event including; Tim Turner, Rod Cook, Ronnda Cadle, Heidi Swan, Gary, and my band mates: Carol Howe (percussion, back up singer), and Michael Wittenbrink (violin).  Thank you all for making the event a wonderful evening, and thanks to everyone who came to the event. We had a nice full house, and it was the first time I had a chance to enjoy the tantalizing food. The Big Blue Peacock drink that Drew created was also a hit.  My abstract feather series is featured till April at The Scotch and Vine.  20% off all art at the show, and I have signed art cards of any art from my site for $2.50 a card www.lauriemillermodernart.com.  A portion of all sales is donated to NCADV - Helping Women who have been abused by domestic violence - www.ncadv.org. In addition, I will be selling signed prints of my Whitney Houston picture at $10.00 plus postage fees. If anyone is interested you can email me at: bassnlegs@aol.com.  Thank you for your support!  It is much appreciated.  I have written a few new songs (music and lyrics).  I shall be sharing them soon.  In the meantime, I wrote the song Whitney R.I.P. (featured on this blog posting) on my guitar the other night.  It is a simple melody, but I wanted to write something.  I also created the art dedicated to Whitney last week. I will try my best to post more frequently.
Nighty night. xxoo Laurie

Chair and Vase

Hi Everyone,

  Yes, I'm still alive, and I'm covered in a new coat of mold.  It is lime green this time.  This is my first break, only one student to teach today, in a couple of months.  I have been busy doing positive thing, even if I haven't had any time to paint (wah, wah).  I painted last night though.  I forced myself to get started. To shift my brain back to the right side. It was 3 am when I started, and it is a quick acrylic painting of a vase of flowers and a chair.  I will be updating my art site with my miniatures and paintings from the previous few months by next week - www.lauriemillermodernart.com .  
   First, I played a GoGirls Festival at Eddie's Trackside in Monroe.  Michael, my son, played violin with me, and Carol played percussion.  It is soul full filling to play my original songs again.  Writing music, painting, writing, creating in any form brings me joy.  I'm in the moment, and I feel like I'm living my destiny.  




Anyway, the GoGirls Festival was a wonderful event, and I met some wonderful talent: Ronnda Cadle, Heidi Swan, Jean Mann, and Christine Havrilla.
  Next, I played a fundraiser at The Vera Project for Ruby Smith, my 17 year old bass student who is beating cancer.  Here is a link to her journal. 
  Finally, I held my fourth annual Christmas recital for my music students.  It was a wonderful event as always.  Their energy is so positive and they are all so talented.
  I'm #4 on the Rock charts in Seattle on Reverbnation now.  How exciting!  There is some great music on the Reverbnation site if you get a chance to check it out.  Here is my link: http://www.reverbnation.com/lauriemiller.
  I'm still updating my Facebook Fanpage.  If you want to 'Like' it great.  Let me know by sending me a message or email and I'll 'Like' your page back: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laurie-Miller/6369592998.
   Thanks so much for reading, looking, and listening.  Have a nice day! Laurie