Lil' Darlin' Spotlights Leobarda Grijalva!

A couple of months ago I added this lovely lady, Miss Lucky Hellcat, to my FB friends list. Like many people, I add people that I don't know but share common interests with, especially since I am trying to drive more traffic to my Lil' Darlin' fan page. I had no idea who this talented lady was until I actually got to check out her work. AH-MAZE-ING!!!!!! I've only known men to be able to pinstripe, but seriously, this chick has got the art down! I have yet to meet her in person, but I was so happy when she agreed to be interviewed by me. So, without further adieu, the awesome, Leobarda "Miss LuckyHellCat" Grijalva.

LDS: First of all, how did you get into art?

Leo: Well I love love love art all my life, since the first day I can remember I always been fascinated by it. I can say that my inspiration for loving it was my father since he played the accordion I was obsessed with the metal flake and Swarovski's and art work on his instrument that I try to copy it and draw it.

LDS: Did you go to school for it? If so, which one(s)?

Leo: I only went to one college class at Fullerton College for one semester and I realized that I didn't really need it. I can be honest I was just born to know everything hahaha so I think? I'm the type of person that refuses to have someone teach me something, id rather figure it out on my own hehehehe im just like that.

LDS: What do you draw your inspiration from?

Leo: My inspiration is my family, friends, movies, magazines and vintage pictures. They always give me Ideas and I love to hear and see what they would like to see done and what I can do. Also when I go to Los Angeles I also get inspired by the architecture and structure of the buildings and people that just look crazy walking around. Also vintage magazines and cars and peoples fashion motivates me to create kool stuff.

LDS: How long have you been into "the scene"?

Leo: I can honestly say since I was 15, thanks to my bad ass gear head brother Eddie, he motivated me big time!!!

LDS: What do you do full-time?

Leo: Well for full time I have 2 jobs, I work for an awesome company and after work I do my art. I really don't go out that much anymore since my love for these 2 jobs keeps me busy.

LDS: What do you do in your spare time?

Leo: On my spare time I love to go to Los Angeles and walk around and sometimes take pictures or go to the movies and eat. Sometimes I like to clean up my art room and hang up all the fabulous art work that I collect. I also enjoy cleaning and dusting and rearrange all my Barbie's.

LDS: How did you come up with your name Miss Lucky Hellcat?

Leo: I actually came up with that name in high school hehehe…We use to have a "Greaser" Gang going on and we were called the "Hellcats" inspired by the movie "Cry-baby" and my nick name was "Lucky". When I got serious with the whole art thingy I wanted to have a nickname and I decided to keep "Lucky Hellcat"

LDS: I notice you're married. How did you meet your husband?

Leo: Well this is my favorite question hehehe, we actually met on yahoo profiles in 2000 and he sent me an inbox message introducing him self and had told me that he lived close to me. I at the time had a boyfriend but it wasn't working out for me and him, so we split and me and my now husband were messaging each other and calling each other for half a year before we met. We were friends before lovers and it worked out so great!

LDS: How long have you two been married?

Leo: I've been married now for almost 5 years. We got married in Las Vegas.

LDS: Do you have a favorite theme to draw/paint? If so, what?

Leo: Well I do have few themes I love to do for example I love the 60's fashion and wallpaper and bright pastel colors. I love the beatnik look and cute little children wearing costumes and Psychobilly and rockabilly and Pachuca look as well.

LDS: What's your favorite thing about "the scene"?

Leo: My favorite thing in the scene is looking at people's hair, tattoos or make-up and what there wearing. It tells me what kind of person they are and if there kool or not hahahaha…and of course the cars and music is a plus!

LDS: I noticed you're also into makeup. Is there any particular look that you'd like to recreate that you have yet to?

Leo: Yes there's this one look I've been aching to do and that's the Egyptian look with all the gold's and dark liner and eyebrows with the hat and gown geez I'm aching to do that

LDS: In life, what are your strengths? Weaknesses?

Leo: My strength is my husband and family and friends and my weaknesses is Barbies and purses and make-up and shoes geeeze I cant say no to either or…

LDS: What's your pet peeve?

Leo: My biggest pet peeve is people who want to get "deals" or don't want to pay the price on an artwork I do….ugh I hate it!

LDS: Do you do your own hair? If so, what's your favorite look?

Leo: Yes I do, do my own hair : and my deepest favorite look is the "Victory Rolls" or so I like to call it the "Pachuca" Look, because I have it down on the money and it's easy to do.

LDS: Have you ever gotten a perm?

Leo: Oh god no!

LDS: What's your favorite decade & why?

Leo: The late 1950's and early 1960's because I love love love the big hair and make up and short and long pencil skirts lil dresses and hats.

LDS: Regarding your favorite decade, what's the thing that you don't like about it & why?

Leo: The racism wars

LDS: What do you find yourself listening to when you are creating?

Leo: I listen to a lot of Psychobilly music and some Rockabilly and oldies and doo-wop and punk. Very rarely I listen to what new on the radio yuk!

LDS: Do you sew? If so, what do you make?

Leo: I use to know how to sew, dunno if I can remember doing it again, but I use to make mine and my husband Psychobilly vest and I use to sew all the patches and leopard materials for us.

LDS: Where did you grow up?

Leo: I grew up all my life in La Habra California

LDS: What's your dream car?

Leo: My dream car was always the 1960 Thunder bird and I'm very blessed to actually own one now.

LDS: What's the most memorable concert that you've ever been to & why?

Leo: When I saw the Stray Cats reunion at Hootenanny they kick ass!!! And I got to meet them all and take pics with them and chat for a bit. There awesome!

LDS: What's the worst show you've ever been to?

Leo: OMG probably all the Social Distortion concerts he's not a very nice person ugh….but I still like his music I just blur him out hahaha.

LDS: What kind of movies do you like?

Leo: I love love love all of John Waters films he kicks ass and I love movies that are 1960's themed like hairspray or crybaby. I also love mafia movies and scary ones too.

LDS: What do you think about rockabilly getting into mainstream culture? Do you embrace it or cringe?

Leo: I really embrace it, more power to the newbies hahaha. Shoot I rather see more rockabilly and psychobilly than anything else.

LDS: What was your first piece of art? Do you still have it?

Leo: My first piece of art was a painting that I did of my self holding a LARGE chocolate donut in kindergarten and I think my mom still has it.

LDS: Where do you see yourself in regards to your art in the future?

Leo: Well I see my self still painting in my art room; I like to be alone when it comes to art. And I would love to have a book of my art and maybe merchandise as well.

LDS: Where do you see yourself, personally, in the future?

Leo: Married still to the same man. Maybe some kids so they can carry the Lucky Hellcat torch hehehehe. And maybe move to Los Angeles in a warehouse studio so I can have my t-bird in the middle of the studio.

Now.....onto the silliness.

LDS: What do you think about man perms?

Man perms are gross but, if it makes feel good and look good more power to you.

LDS: Are you afraid of midgets?

Leo: LOL yes because I cant stop staring at them and I'm afraid if they cuss me out and I might step on them hahahaha….

LDS: When was the last time you laughed so hard that your drink came out of your nose?

Leo: Honestly like half a year ago.

LDS: If you answered no to being afraid of midgets, would you ever go to a midget rodeo?

Leo: I don't want to go they scare me hahaha

LDS: What do you think of moustaches?

Leo: I don't like them one bit, they bother me it's like kissing an old man eeekkk.

LDS: Do you ever watch those Valtrex commercials & think "eew!"?

Leo: Hahaha no I hardly watch TV.

LDS: Why was the mullet so popular?

Leo: I think the mullet was popular because people didn't want to get sunburned in back of there necks hahaha

LDS: Finish this sentence: Chocolate is ......

Leo: ....like getting high off of urethane paints stench…

LDS: Have you ever seen guys who still dress like they're 1975 basketball players cuz they think they're cool?

Leo: Yea and its super fun to look at them especially with there little shorts hahaha

I'd like to thank Miss Lucky Hellcat for this great interview. If you'd like to see more of her artwork, follow the link to her FB page: http://www.facebook.com/Lucky.Hellcat.Art
Keep an eye out for the next interview coming shortly.

Lil' Darlin' Spotlights Divine Moments by Jana

Welcome to my very first maiden voyage of Lil' Darlin' Spotlights. I am very pleased to introduce Jana Dougherty, a talented photographer that I met on a different website a while ago after moving to the current city we're living in. She is the owner/photographer for Divine Moments by Jana and a friend of mine. I got a chance to see her in action when I asked her to take photos for my website and was so happy with the results. Thank you again, Jana, for lending your talent to my website.

Now, sit back, grab a cup of Joe & enjoy my very first interview.

LDS: How did you start in the photography industry?
Jana: I became interested in photography in high school when I was the assistant photographer for the school newspaper. We had our own dark room and we got to process our own film and print our own photos. It was a lot of fun. It's been a hobby ever since but I became interested in doing portrait photography after my girls were born and I started taking their pictures.

LDS: What kind of classes did you take?
Jana: I haven't taken any classes. I did my senior project in high school on photography and had a teacher who was my mentor for the project. He was a photographer and took me out on photo walks to practice and teach me the basics and general rules of photography. The rest is pretty much self taught from talking to other photographers and reading books and articles... and hands on learning experience, of course.

LDS: Would you say you've always had an eye for taking pictures?
Jana: To a point, yes. I remember my project mentor looking through some photos I took on a vacation and he kept pointing out how well I used a lot of the photography rules in my photos. At the time, I had no idea what he was talking about but now that I have learned what they are, I can consciously use them in my work and get great composition almost every time.

LDS: What's the one mistake that amateur photographers make that gets under your skin?
Jana: I really can't think of any one thing in particular... to each their own. I guess maybe not doing anything to try and improve their work. Nobody is a perfect photographer... even the pros can still learn a thing or two. If they're just starting out, there is SO much to learn in order to really be able to produce great pictures and develop your own style. The "photographers" that start out thinking their work is perfect right from the beginning and don't think they have to do anything to advance their knowledge, are usually the ones that don't really move forward in their career.

LDS: You do many kinds of genres. What's your favorite?
Jana: I absolutely LOVE doing maternity photos. I think pregnancy is an incredibly beautiful thing and I love capturing the moments towards the end when the mother has already developed that bond with her unborn child.

LDS: Do you have a favorite shoot & if so, what made it your favorite?
Jana: The one birth shoot that I have done is, by far, my most favorite. To be invited into such an intimate and personal moment in someone's life, was such an honor and the whole experience was so emotional and beautiful, I can't even put it into words. I would love to do another shoot like that again. It was amazing.

LDS: Have you ever had any moments of sheer comedy on any of your shoots?
Jana: Nothing major yet... at least nothing that really sticks out in my mind. I'm a very lighthearted person as it is thought, so my clients and I are always laughing and having fun during our shoots.

LDS: What is your dream place/subject/theme to shoot?
Jana: My dream place would have to be my own studio somewhere. I dream of the day that I am successful enough in this business that I can afford my own studio and have it set up however I want it. That would be perfect. If I could get a consistent "side" gig as a birth photographer... maybe have my ad included in the packets that the hospitals hand out to their maternity patients, that would be wonderful too. Someday. =)

LDS: Any genre that you won't do? Why?
Jana: I had someone call me once asking if I would do nude portraits of her and her "girlfriend" to give as a gift to her husband. She said that she wanted the photos to contain "interaction" be tween her and her friend. Basically what she was asking for was for me to shoot porn for her husband. I said no. Not that I was judging her... like I said, to each their own, but I personally wouldn't be comfortable being in the middle of that type of situation. I try to keep my work classy and subtle.

LDS: Any thing else you'd like to add?
Jana: I am always open to suggestions (keeping the above mentioned exception in mind, haha) and love to expand my portfolio. I have my specialties but I won't limit myself to any one subject and love to try out new ideas. Some of the best photo shoots are the ones that are just random ideas.

If you're interested in booking any future photoshoots and you are in the Inland Empire, please feel free to contact Jana via email @ divinemomentsbyjana@yahoo.com She's featuring a special: 10% off any regular priced shoot for 1st time clients and 20% off any regularly priced shoot when you refer a friend who purchases a session. And here's a few samples of her photography.

I've decided to redirect my blog.....for now

A couple weeks ago, I was in the shower (where I do my best thinking), wondering what I should do concerning my blog. I started a blog to let others know about my business, but so far, I really haven't had much to say. I came to the conclusion that there are 2 main types of egos in the world: the first will talk about themselves, usually to the point where the listener is sick of it and would rather be engaged in an actual conversation where they get to contribute more than just, "mmm hmm" here and there. The second, which I figured was most of the population (including myself) like to talk about themselves, but also enjoy hearing about others. Of course there is a third, but I've decided not to highlight that type of ego, or lack thereof, as it will make the aforementioned look like a bunch of shmucks.

Ok, I digress. Any way, I can only talk about myself & my products so much, but there comes a point where the reader gets it & decides to move on. I don't blame them as I have decided not to follow many blogs because I'm tired of reading the same old stuff from them that I've read for the past months. Here's my idea (finally, I know, I ramble). I'm going to dedicate my blog to others, mainly those whom I've found on Facebook. Whether they're photographers, models, fellow vendors, etc., I will be featuring them, hopefully one each week, depending on when the interviewees get back to me. It makes for interesting reading, since I like to go beyond the typical interview questions (ie, What's your inspiration), plus how cool is it to say you're in someone else's blog for a change?

So, keep an eye out for Lil' Darlin' Spotlights, hopefully to launch the week of December 20th, just in time for Christmas! Tell your wife, tell your kids, tell your husband cuz everyone should be reading this blog.