getting back into the groove

Hello friends, 

Well, I may as well start this off by being as honest as I possibly can.....this summer fucking sucked. That's why things got held off and this blog and the rest of my life kind of got put on hold. This seems to happen every now and again in my life, but this time I must say, I have dealt with all the bull shit much better than I have in the past. I may have not had much of a presence online or did....anything.....in my shop.....but, I did a shit ton of art! Then the fall came, and Phantom Fright Nights came and whooped our butts. It was a ton of fun and we really honed our acting skills and really developed some of our characters into a really good place! We're evening thinking of writing a full Hobo show for next year....possibly. 

But back to what we were talking about....

Despite being super sick, enduring a death in the family, and muddling through a difficult job I really have enjoyed the time away and the lack of pressure that this little break in 'work' has given me. It's given me the moment or so to figure out exactly what I want to do with my brand and what I plan to create. The past few years, I just feel like I've been ambling around trying to figure out who I am again and what it is that I'm trying to say. The notion of 'getting back to my roots' has been a driving force into this rebrand.
By that I mean, getting back to who I am when I'm being my purest self and not putting on a 'face' to get by....life has been hard folks. But, that's the life of an artiste, huh?! *insert pretentious laugh here* In all seriousness though, the 'real holly' is weird, colorful and unafraid to be heard. Trying to get back to her has been an up hill battle, but the more I explore my own thoughts and stop listening to what other people think I should be, it's all becoming clearer. 

That's why I've been getting back into the groove....

I'm back bitch!! And, I'm back with a clearer vision and now I can see my path! It's the path that's always been written for me, I just couldn't see it for a while. Yet here I am, back to sitting down at my desk with that brush in my hand. The path is clear and coated with a wicked layer of psychedelic paint....

Prepare yourselves for some weird art shit,people! 

Until the next time, please check out my YouTube Channel to see all the sketch videos that I've put up so far! 

xoxo. holly erinn 

What's happenin'....

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Hello friends!!!

Holy hell! It's been quite a minute since I've written anything here on this blog. I'm sure you've noticed there's been a bit of a change around these parts....namely....the name! Over the summer, I've been crazy busy rebranding this blog and the rest of my social outlets. I had out grown the 'happiness' name and I didn't feel like the core idea behind it suited who I am now as a person and as an artist. The last few years have been trying to get back to my roots and focus mainly on my art. It's what my life has revolved around since....forever and it's what I've studied the most.

So, the name Psychedelic Siren....

The name came to be randomly. I was brainstorming for the rebrand, and I remember talking with friends around that time and the idea of my art being like a 'psychedelic dream' came up and that sparked something in me. Around the same time, I had bought a really special pair of hand carved wooden earrings that feature a siren on them from Two Feathers Connection on Etsy.  The idea of sirens have always fascinated me, the idea of these beautiful women singing to sailors to lore them to their deaths......it intrigues me. ANYWAY......back to what I was trying to get to....psychedelic siren....it kind of encompasses this bigger feeling of the brand that I'm trying to create.  She's someone who is wild, colorful and just a little dangerous. And, that's really fucking cool to me. Anyway....I hope you guys check out the video about. It talks about my new adventures in YouTube. Until next time, friends!!

xoxo. holly erinn

Friday Favorites no.20

fiercely uniquely YOU!

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Hello friends, 

There's been a load of thoughts swirling up in my little red-headed head this week. Since the trip to Texas, I've done a lot of self reflection, and thought about the life I want to lead in respects to how my family operates. The Karnes Clan are long time believers in heavy, heavy doses of sarcasm, word play, and testing one's intelligence. They're all crazy smart and have no shame in showing it. A good mind challenge is one thing, but testing someone at every turn just to watch them like a hawk in case them slip up....then send in the sarcasm soldiers...that's another. I love my extended family with all my heart, I respect them as people and recognize the struggles the clan has gone through over the years...but I roll a little different now. Once my mother passed, my world shifted drastically and I started examining how I wanted to live...especially the way I treated people--that one came a few years later. 

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I've come to learn that speaking to people in a direct manner, one that is open and clear, is the best way to operate if you want good results. When you speak in riddles or sarcasm it confuses your meaning, leaving people disoriented and wondering why they're even speaking to you. I like to be kind. I like to be generous. I like to be nurturing. I like to be gentle. Some may say I'm too sensitive. If something I say has the potential to hurt someone with my words or actions, I do my very best to avoid it. 

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My closest friends know that I would drop everything at the drop of a hat for them. If Panda called me right now and said it was an emergency, Alice was in the hospital, I'd call off work and rush to them...because I know she'd do the same for me. Because I am honest and upfront with my people, they are honest and upfront with me. There is no judgement, and there is no hesitation when issues arise-we work through things peacefully with respect for each other. I will always be a Karnes, but the family I have chosen for myself, my PFN crew (you know who you are), is my backbone. 

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Lately, the thought of kindness has been a headline in my thought process. In my every day life at home with Bryan, to my work life helping those with special needs, and to the way I conduct myself on the internet--kindness is always at the forefront of my mind. If I can not be kind, I do not speak. It's that simple. That old saying, 'if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all', is a guiding force right now for me. 

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For years now, I've been searching for my most authentic self. The me I was way back when, when I was younger, fierce, and didn't care what other people thought of me. There was a time back in high school that any thing that any one said to me just rolled off my shoulders, I never cried over people's opinions of me. I liked who I was, and I was proud to be on the path that I was traveling. Life was comfortable and I knew who I was. Life has a way of really testing you. The challenges presented by the years can change you. 

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But through the traumas of life, I've learned to be grateful that I'm still here fighting through it all. I've learned to love myself. And, I feel like life is moving in a better direction because of it. I've taken control of things, and I'm facing fears now that I would only glance at before I ran away like a coward and hid. I've grown stronger now, and I'm really excited to take this journey. 

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I am not ashamed of who I am, how strange I am, or the things that make me who I am. I am fearlessly facing myself for the first time without caring about judgement. I'm doing my own thing. Every single second that I am not working, I'm dreaming of a new painting, a new blog post, or a dress I want to make for myself...and actually doing these things. 

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Who are you? Where is your life going? 

Have you written anything on the subject of self reflection recently? 

xo. Holly Erinn 

And, check out my instagram for more updates and behind the scenes looks & progress shots of my art! 

Etsy Finds

this awesome tank!

this hysterical pin

these gorgeous mason jars

this radical back patch

Weekly Linkage

if 70's moms had blogs

13 SUNNY 90's SONGS WITH SURPRISINGLY DARK BACKSTORIES

everyone's obsessed with 'adulting' and i'm tired of pretending i give a fuck

49 PHRASES TO CALM AN ANXIOUS CHILD 

4 tiny-apartment upgrades so easy you'll actually do them

WHAT IF DISNEY CHARACTERS STARRED IN THE WALKING DEAD

Weekly Update no.12

Hello friends, 

Last week, I mentioned that I was setting off to Texas to attend the funeral of one of the best men I've ever known, my Uncle Jim. It was probably one of the hardest things I've experienced since the death of my mother. The trip as a whole, wasn't that terrible. I had the pleasure of spending time with family members that I haven't seen in over a decade, and I got to meet some of my cousins' children...my second...and third cousins. Honestly, it was a beautiful thing to see so many generations in one place, even if it was for such a dark moment. The Karnes Clan doesn't often get these moments where we are all in one place, so this was quite the sight. 

We drove down, so this was an epic journey. 20 hours down there, and 20 hours back in the car with my dad, another one of my uncles, and my 6'0-something Bryan. He was so cramped up by the end of our journey, but then again any giant that has to squeeze into a tiny box for 20 hours would be. But, that gave him ample time to work on studding one of his vests more, and he even did a little sketching. I love that our life together has become so creative...from all the weirdness that goes on at fright nights in October to decorating our home, and just the fun little projects we do together. He really does encourage my creative soul. 

During our time down there, I promised Bryan if he helped me get through this I would do my best to fit in just a bit of fun. One of the days, after we had finished up with everything we had to do that day, we went to down town Palestine and did a little antiquing. We stopped at a few little shops, and even an art gallery that sold wine...Granny Muffin Wine. We picked up a few little treasures, along with a few bottles of wine, on the way. 

There were big laughs, old memories shared, and many tears shed for a great man this week. Overall, it was a very hard week...but it is my mission in life to find happiness where ever I travel...in what ever circumstances are thrown upon my shoulder. My heart is still with my family down in Texas as our clan readjusts and shifts into a new era. And, my heart is with my sweet Uncle Jim as he joins my mother, and grandparents in heaven for a beer. I know they're watching over us, keeping an eye on us, and criticizing my every move like they always did. Thanks for keeping my ass in check up there, y'all. 

Here's to better weeks to come. 

xo. Holly Erinn 

Peg Leg Porker

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this was one of the neighbors' cat that kinda adopted us while we were down there.

Granny Muffin Wines